DE102005058708B4 - A method for payment of services in a mobile radio system by a user - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for paying for services in a mobile radio system by a user (10), in which - an operator (12) makes a network usage data record, which relates to the user (10), to an accounting office (16), - by the accounting office ( 16) at least one electronic voucher is generated using at least one network usage date or user identification, - the user (10) uses a service from a provider (14), - the provider (14) is supplied with the electronic voucher, and - the provider (14) redeems the electronic voucher at the clearing house (16) or the operator (12) in order to receive an actual payment, characterized in that - the electronic voucher gives the provider (14) on request directly from the clearing house (16) is transmitted.

Description

The invention relates to a method for payment of services in a mobile radio system by a user.

There is a need in the art for electronic payment of services such as electronic services such as downloading a mobile ringtone, etc. What is new here is the concept of the electronic voucher exchanged between two different subscribers of the mobile telephone system for financial compensation and at least one central point is redeemable, so you get an actual payment.

The starting point here is basically the operator with whom the users have different network usage contracts. Such an operator could also manage the issuance of electronic vouchers.

The EP 1 262 896 A2 . US 2004/0019571 A1 and US 2002/0111907 A1 discloses methods and apparatus for paying for services in a mobile system by a user in which an operator provides a network usage record relating to the user to a clearing house, generates an electronic coupon from the clearing office and sends the electronic coupon to the user is claimed by the user, a service is used by a provider, wherein the user transmits the electronic coupon to the provider, and the provider redeemed the electronic coupon at the clearinghouse or the operator to obtain an actual payment.

The WO 2006/040256 A1 relates to a method for authenticating a mobile terminal in a mobile radio network.

It is an object of the invention to make the payment of benefits in a mobile phone system with electronic vouchers technically simple and secure.

The object is achieved by a method, a mobile terminal and a mobile radio system according to the independent claims.

Thus, according to the invention, an operator uses a network usage record that relates to the user to provide a clearinghouse; the clearing office generates at least one electronic voucher using at least one network usage date (or other identifier for the user); a provider is used, the electronic coupon is supplied to the provider, and the provider redeems the electronic coupon at the clearinghouse (or the operator) in order to receive an actual payment (bank transfer, rather rare transfer of cash). According to the invention, the electronic voucher is sent to the provider on request directly from the clearinghouse.

By this measure, the electronic coupon does not even come into the sphere of influence of the user. Abuse is thereby particularly excluded. The use of electronic vouchers, compared to a direct payment by the clearinghouse, then makes sense that the delivery of the electronic voucher can work much faster than making an actual payment in which out-of-cell units (bank holding the bank account) are involved have to. The provider can then redeem the collected electronic vouchers once a month, for example, and it can then also be provided that the electronic vouchers are redeemed at the operator, for example in the case of the above-mentioned macro voucher.

In a preferred embodiment of the third alternative, the clearing office generates in advance electronic coupons with coupon identity number. The user will then only be notified of the coupon identity number. The user passes the coupon identity number to the provider. The provider can then selectively query a specific electronic coupon based on the voucher identity number. This corresponds to the completion of a direct debit authorization to the provider by the user in real life.

The separate clearinghouse can usefully be used as a fourth party in addition to the operator, the user and the provider. The operator is therefore exempt from all tasks relating to the issue of the electronic voucher. The clearing office can technically set up the issuing of the electronic voucher and the relationship with the provider.

Although the present invention could theoretically be used for the payment of goods in a supermarket, the rule application is that of using electronic services and paying for them by radio. In particular, the user and the billing center, the provider and the user and / or the provider and the billing center shall communicate with each other by radio (this also applies to communication with the operator).

The network usage record preferably includes an operator identifier so that the clearinghouse can recognize the operator, a user identifier to make it clear for whom the network usage record was generated, data relating to a contract of the operator with the user, and no complete information to the clearinghouse needs to be given , so that just the separation between operator and billing point makes sense. Further, the network usage record may include data regarding a credit of the user to the operator. This is particularly useful if the billing office for the final payment back to the operator. She then knows the total amount of vouchers that can be generated. The network usage record may further include an identity class for service providers for which the electronic coupon may be created. It may be that due to the contract of the operator with the user not all services should be available, but that only a selection of these should be made. Also, the credit may be such (prepaid or real credit) that some benefits may be too expensive.

The network usage record may additionally include an electronic macro coupon corresponding to a credit amount of the operator to the clearing house. Then the electronic vouchers generated by the clearing house are micro-vouchers, whereby it is defined as micro voucher that in the sum of their values they do not exceed the loan amount due to the macro voucher. Ideally, an amount indicated in the macro coupon is divided into different subtotals and a micro coupon is then generated for each partial amount. If the network usage data includes such macro vouchers, the operator will, in a sense, provide a credit line that can not be exceeded by the clearing house. This is because the operator is in contractual relationship with the user, but the user does not necessarily have to have a written contract with the clearinghouse.

There are two alternatives for providing the network usage record. Either the network usage record is sent to the user by the operator (ie transmitted via the radio network), which can then pass it on to a clearing office of his choice. As a result, the user retains the freedom to select the clearinghouse, and the operator does not immediately learn that the clearinghouse has received the network usage record.

Alternatively, the network usage record is transmitted directly by the respective operator of a predetermined or user-selected clearinghouse. In this alternative, the operator retains better control over which clearinghouse handles the new tasks in the overall system so that the operator is not overruled.

For electronic vouchers, there are few examples in the prior art. Preferably, the electronic coupon is a data packet containing an identifier for the clearing house and a user identifier. The data packet does not necessarily have to contain an identifier for the operator because it no longer plays any role in the electronic payment transaction. The data packet may further include the indication of a monetary amount. The amount of money indicates the value of the electronic voucher, similar to a banknote. It may also include the indication of a product profile and / or an identity class for a provider. Based on this information, it can be determined which products can be paid by whom with the electronic voucher, for which other products and other providers the payment by the electronic voucher is excluded. The coupon may also include an identity number. Preferably, the coupon also includes time information regarding the time of issue of the electronic coupon and / or the validity of the electronic coupon. Both times may be useful to limit the period of use of a particular voucher. For security reasons, from the point of view of the clearing house, a user should be prevented from making copies of the voucher and then paying twice with the same electronic voucher.

The electronic coupon may also include an electronic signature.

The billing center (mobile radio subscriber) is correspondingly designed to add a time stamp and / or an electronic signature to the data packets. So here at least a corresponding clock and date management and the electronic signature must be a corresponding programming included.

It can also be provided that the user transmits a performance receipt to the provider, and that the provider is to submit the receipt of power receipt of the clearinghouse. This can ensure that actual benefits are paid, not just fictitious ones.

Preferably, the electronic coupon is generated only upon request by the provider upon presentation of the performance receipt. Of the electronic coupon may then contain other data that serve security in business, for example, an identifier of the provider, so that it is clear on later redemption of the coupon that the coupon was intended for the respective provider.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawing in which the figure schematically illustrates the trading mobile subscribers and their communication relationships to each other.

According to the figure, there is a user 10 for example, having a mobile terminal. For the mobile terminal, the user is in contractual relationship with the operator 12 , The contractual relationship is through the two-way arrows between the user 10 and the operator 12 expressed. Ordinary actions of the user, such as making calls on his mobile device or sending short messages, are billed, as by the contractual relationship between operators 12 is regulated.

However, there are many services that provide for a separate tariff structure, which is provided by the operator 12 can not be influenced at all and are not offered by it. These services are provided by a service provider 14 offered. An example is the downloading of mobile ringtones or short videos (news, sports coverage, etc.). So far, such services are provided by a service provider 14 that the user of a mobile terminal uses, paid via the mobile phone bill. However, it is increasingly desirable that other payment mechanisms supersede this payment. For this purpose, according to the invention as the fourth separate unit (fourth mobile subscriber) a clearinghouse 16 set up. The clearinghouse 16 gets to the beginning of the operator 12 (possibly on request) directly network usage data concerning the user 10 ,

The network usage data may also be provided by the operator 12 first the user 10 be transmitted and then from this the clearinghouse 16 , The network usage data contain numerous entries and, in particular, provide information about the user's credit to the operator. For example, the user may have paid in advance (prepaid) or the operator 12 may have granted a loan, eg. B. due to a bank guarantee. The billing office has the task of generating electronic vouchers. Electronic vouchers are data packets that each represent a particular value and that can be used by the user to provide services of the service provider 14 to pay.

The clearinghouse generates multiple coupons and merely notifies the user of a coupon identity number. The user takes a service of the service provider 14 and pay for it with the help of the voucher, being the service provider 14 the coupon identity number calls. The service provider 14 then ask the billing office 16 after the electronic coupon and receives it from the clearinghouse 16 sent.

In a further development, initially no electronic voucher is generated. The user 10 takes from the service provider 14 a service. The service provider 14 All you have to do now is know whom to contact for payment. For example, the user 10 him the address (in the mobile network) of the clearinghouse 16 report. The service provider receives a power receipt from the user. The service provider generates a random number and sends the service receipt certificate and the random number to the clearinghouse. The clearinghouse 16 now tailor-made for the service provider 14 and the service used is an electronic coupon.

The electronic coupon, that is, the data packet, contains the random number so that the service provider knows that it is the correct electronic coupon for the service in question.

As a rule, the service provider triggers 14 the electronic vouchers at the clearinghouse 16 at regular intervals, for example monthly. While sending an electronic voucher in the mobile network is relatively quick, making a bank transfer would be time consuming. Accordingly, a bank transfer is initiated only once a month, namely when redeeming the electronic vouchers.

In an alternative embodiment, provision may also be made for the service provider to send the vouchers directly to the operator 12 redeems, which also includes the telephone bills for the user 10 issues. As a rule, however, the separation of service providers shown in the figure 14 and operator 12 desired. The service provider 14 communicates with the user 10 and the clearinghouse 16 but not with the operator 12 , The operator 12 can thus remain in the background, and the service provider 14 Do not have to, because a service must be paid, all user network usage data 10 be announced.

There is an organizational separation between the operator and the clearinghouse. The operator does not have to deal with the complicated issue of electronic vouchers, but this is a separate set up billing 16 to disposal. This will enable anyone to do what they specialize in, thereby greatly facilitating the introduction of electronic vouchers as a means of payment. So far, the operators 12 Banks, some of which are reluctant to provide appropriate technical equipment for issuing electronic vouchers.

Claims (18)

Method for payment of services in a mobile radio system by a user ( 10 ), in which - by an operator ( 12 ) a network usage record that informs the user ( 10 ), a clearinghouse ( 16 ), - by the clearing house ( 16 ) at least one electronic voucher is generated using at least one network usage date or an identification of the user, - by the user ( 10 ) a service from a provider ( 14 ), - the provider ( 14 ) the electronic voucher is supplied, and - the provider ( 14 ) the electronic voucher at the clearing house ( 16 ) or the operator ( 12 ) in order to receive an actual payment, characterized in that - the electronic voucher 14 ) on request directly from the accounting office ( 16 ) is transmitted. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the clearing office ( 16 ) generates pre-electronic vouchers with coupon identity numbers that the user only the coupon identity number is communicated to the provider for distribution, and that the provider can selectively query a specific electronic coupon based on the coupon identity number. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the user transmits a receipt of power receipt to the provider, and that submits the power receipt confirmation of the clearinghouse. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that the electronic coupon is generated only upon request by the provider until receipt of the certificate of performance receipt. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that electronic services are used. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the user ( 10 ) and the clearinghouse ( 16 ), the provider ( 14 ) and the user ( 10 ) and / or the provider ( 14 ) and the clearinghouse ( 16 ) communicate with each other via radio. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the network usage record an operator identifier, a user identifier, data on a contract of the operator with the user, data relating to a user's credit to the operator and / or an identity class for service providers for which the electronic voucher can be created. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the network usage record includes an electronic macro coupon corresponding to a credit amount of the operator ( 12 ) to the clearinghouse ( 16 ), and that of the clearing house ( 16 ) generated electronic vouchers are characterized by the fact that they do not exceed the amount of credit in the sum of their values. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the network usage record the user ( 10 ) from the operator ( 12 ), in particular via the radio network, is transmitted for transmission to a clearing office of its choice. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the network usage record directly from the operator ( 12 ) to a given or the user ( 10 ) selected clearinghouse ( 16 ) is transmitted. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic coupon is a data packet that contains an identifier for the clearing office ( 16 ), a user identifier, the indication of a monetary amount, a product profile and / or an identity class of providers and / or an identity number of the voucher and preferably also contains time information regarding the time of issuing the electronic voucher and / or the validity of the electronic voucher and / / or also contains an electronic signature. Mobile terminal designed to: - request a service from a provider via a mobile network, - send a request for the generation of an electronic voucher to a clearing house via the mobile network, and - in response to the clearinghouse transmitting the electronic voucher to the provider, claiming the requested service from the provider without sending an electronic voucher from the mobile terminal to the provider. Mobile terminal designed to Receive a voucher identity number from a billing center via a mobile network, the voucher identity number being associated with an electronic voucher, - to request a service from a provider via the mobile network, - to send the coupon identity number to the provider via the mobile network, and In response to the provider sending the coupon identity number to the clearing house and receiving therefrom the coupon identity number associated electronic coupon, claiming the requested service from the provider without sending an electronic coupon from the mobile terminal to the provider. Mobile terminal according to claim 12 or 13, further adapted to transmit to the provider a receipt of service receipt indicating the completion of the service. Mobile radio system comprising - a mobile terminal according to one of claims 12 to 14, - an operator ( 12 ), - a clearinghouse ( 16 ), and - a provider ( 14 ), whereby - the operator ( 12 ), a network usage record that informs a user ( 10 ) of the mobile terminal, the clearinghouse ( 16 ), - the mobile terminal is designed to provide a service from the provider ( 14 ), - the clearinghouse ( 16 ), at least one electronic coupon using at least one network usage date or an identification of the user ( 10 ) of the mobile terminal and on request directly to the provider ( 14 ), and - the provider ( 14 ), the electronic voucher at the clearing house ( 16 ) or the operator ( 12 ) to receive an actual payment. Mobile radio system according to claim 15, wherein - the clearinghouse ( 16 ) is designed to generate in advance an electronic coupon with coupon identity number and notify the mobile terminal only the coupon identity number for transmission to the provider, and - the provider ( 14 ), the electronic voucher with voucher identity number directly at the clearing house ( 16 ). A mobile radio system as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein - the mobile terminal is adapted to provide the service provider with a performance receipt confirming the performance of the service ( 14 ), and - the provider ( 14 ), the service receipt to the clearing house ( 16 ) to receive the electronic voucher. Mobile radio system according to claim 17, wherein the clearing office ( 16 ), the electronic coupon only upon request by the provider ( 14 ) only upon receipt of the certificate of receipt.

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