HK1003587B - Messsage transmission arrangement in a mobile communication system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for transmitting messages in a communications network for voice and data processing with a variety of terminals, which are assigned to a specific user or can be assigned to a specific user by means of a data carrier inserted into the terminal, with at least two terminals capable of entering into a voice or data communication with each other and with at least one central unit to control the transmission of messages within the communications network, where each message transmission is a data communication in which data controllers are exchanged, each containing a standardised data storage device to determine the identity of the recipient and the authorization device of the terminal, and with at least one central unit of communication in place, where at least one of the data transmitters is located in at least one of the central terminals and the data are transmitted from at least one of the central data processing units to at least one of the central data processing units and to at least one of the central data processing units in the terminal, and the data are transmitted from at least one of the central data processing units to at least one of the central data processing units.

Currently, many countries offer national mobile networks that use a variety of technical standards. However, the different networks are a barrier to cross-border traffic. A mobile subscriber expects to be able to use his terminal equipment in different locations in several countries, for example throughout Europe.

The introduction of the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) standard, the standard for a cellular mobile network, has opened the way to a single network and thus to cross-border traffic.

Figure 1 shows the basic structure of a mobile network operating according to the GSM standard. The 1 represents the area of the mobile network. The entire area of this network is covered by adjacent and overlapping radio cells 2, of which only a few are visible in Figure 1. In each radio cell 2 there is a base station 3 (RBS, radio base station) which takes over the radio supply to the mobile terminals. On each radio range between a base station 3 and a terminal 4 all voice and control information and other data such as message communications are transmitted digitally encrypted.

5 is a controller (BSC) used to control several base stations. For example, the controller is responsible for ensuring that the transition of a subscriber or the terminal equipment assigned to the subscriber, in particular a mobile phone, from one radio cell to another neighboring radio cell can proceed radio-technically smoothly.

The controllers are in turn grouped into a mobile switching centre 8 (MSC), which makes the transition to a wired network 7, for example an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network), i.e. a digital service integrated telecommunications network, on which voice, image, computer information, etc. can be transmitted simultaneously.

The short message service is a telecommunications service that allows you to send messages from the Short Message Service to a subscriber of the Origin (SMS/SPP, a GSM/JSMP subscriber) using a standard GSM/JSMP data point, which is a mobile phone identification code, which is sent to a mobile phone service provider in a mobile phone, which is a mobile phone service provider, which is a mobile phone service provider, which is a mobile phone service provider, which is a mobile phone service provider, which is a mobile phone service provider, which is a mobile phone service provider, which is a mobile phone service provider, which is a mobile phone service provider, which is a mobile phone service provider, which is a mobile phone service provider, which is a mobile phone service provider, which is a mobile phone service provider, which is a mobile phone service provider, which is a mobile phone service provider, which is a mobile phone service provider, which is a mobile phone service provider, which is a mobile phone service provider, which is a mobile phone service provider, which is a mobile phone service provider, which is a mobile phone service provider, which is a mobile phone service provider, which is a mobile phone service provider, which is a mobile phone service provider, which is a mobile phone service provider, which is a mobile phone service provider, which is a mobile phone service provider, which is a mobile phone service provider, which is a mobile phone service provider, which is a mobile phone service provider, which is a mobile phone, which is a mobile phone, which is a mobile phone, which is a mobile phone, which is a mobile phone, which is a mobile phone, which is a mobile phone, which is a mobile phone, which is a mobile phone, which is a mobile phone, which is a mobile phone, which is a mobile phone, which is a mobile, which is a mobile phone, which is a mobile, which is a mobile phone, which is a mobile, which is a mobile, a mobile phone, which is a mobile phone, which is a mobile, which is a mobile, a mobile phone, which is a mobile, which is a mobile, a mobile, which is a mobile, a mobile, which is a mobile, a mobile, which is a mobile, a mobile, which is a mobile, a mobile, which is a mobile, a mobile, a mobile, which is a mobile, a mobile, a mobile, which is a

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From GSM phase 2 onwards, there are also so-called class 2 messages. In mobile phones or other end devices designed to process class 2 messages, this assumes that a storage device is present, preferably a subscriber identification module (SIM) in the formation of a chip card. The storage device contains, among other things, all the data necessary for the identification of the user. Chip cards or processor chip cards can be inserted into any end device to be used.

Class 2 messages or developments based on them, which may consist of one or more messages, are stored on the aforementioned storage medium as a message, and a positive acknowledgement of receipt is sent to the Short Message Service Center once this has been done.

This makes it possible to send or receive data and executable instructions to or from a storage medium in a terminal.

The present invention was thus intended to further develop the advantageous characteristics of Class 2 messages and to use the SMS service not merely to transmit transparent bit streams but to offer special services to authorized subscribers.

According to the invention, this is solved by a device for transmitting messages in a communication network for voice and data processing, which is characterized by the fact that the data telegrams contain an identifier code determined by the respective network operator, that the central unit and at least part of the said terminal equipment have means to generate the identifier code and include filters to recognize the identifier code, whereby the identifier code is a security device for the transmission of certain messages determined by the respective network operator and is contained in the data frame directly next to the standardised data set.

The European patent application EP 0 562 890 covers a mobile phone network according to the GSM standard, terminal devices with SIM modules and a short message service center. It is intended to update the SIM modules from the short message service center, i.e. to overwrite certain storage spaces in the SIM module. The SIM modules provide a filter with which to distinguish ordinary short messages from messages with update information. Updating messages are preceded by a first message (striped, verifying command code) in which a registration code is available, which is compared in the same order as the SIM module. Subsequent messages containing update information are also referred to as SMS (Remote Message Updating).

the identifier code of the invention, which may be present in addition to the standard data element or header in a data telegram of a message, is marked as data in that message to be processed according to a special procedure. The identifier code, which is conveniently present next to the standard data element or header, is generated by either a central unit or by terminals equipped for this purpose and transmitted together with the data element of the object, either the terminal or the central unit. Both the central unit and terminals equipped for this purpose check the reception of any data element identifiable by means of a standardised data element,whether the message contains an additional identification code. If this is not the case, the data of the data telegram will be treated as normal, previously common message according to SMS standard. If this is the case, the central unit will know that the sender of the telegram is sending information that is assigned to a specific service or application not otherwise accessible. Also in this case, the terminal will know that the data contained in the telegram with a recognized identification code include data for processing and/or displaying information of a specific service selected beforehand. The data and executable instructions can be transmitted to the terminal with a filter device specifically equipped to detect such data from the specific service.The application protocol can be defined between the correspondingly equipped terminal equipment and the central unit, which is a control centre, a so-called service centre, and which regulates the message synchronisation, data authentication by cryptogram and the generation of an executable instruction for the controlled terminal equipment. On the basis of the protocol, new application operators can define the services offered by the corresponding network subscriber, which can be understood as the exchange of messages between a terminal equipment equipped with a corresponding filter and the service centre.This may include the possibility of requesting local telephone numbers for emergency services such as emergency services, doctors, pharmacies, etc.

The identifier code may be set by the network operator. It does not need to be in line with international standards and may include any security features developed in such a way as to prevent the accidental use of particular services by unauthorised participants. The filter is conveniently set up as a software module. This software module must be stored at the time of setting the initial data on a terminal device that is fixedly assigned to a participant or on a data carrier, preferably on a chip card that is fixedly assigned to a participant and can be used in a variety of non-associated terminals.

Since the communication network in which the device is used is preferably a digital communications network, but in particular a cellular mobile network defined by the GSM standard or the DCS 1800 standard, mobile telephones are predominantly intended as terminals. These are increasingly equipped to include a write-read device for a chip card, especially for processor cards (SIM Subscriber Identification Module). However, a terminal could also be a data processing device, such as a personal computer or a handheld computer. However, it is also conceivable that such devices, although not yet standardised today, could also have a write-read chip direction for data storage on specific types of hard disk devices, such as the EDM-CIA, which would be available today or in the future.

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The filter may be any device capable of detecting and/or excluding data telegrams containing the identification code.

The identifier code is designed to contain the number of partial messages for a complete message and information about the position of the corresponding partial message within the message. The chip card's memory device stores the individual messages in the order in which they occur at least until the complete message has been received. Only then is processing initiated, in the correct order of the individual messages, which order does not have to match the order of reception. The central unit for the special services includes a central operating center, a so-called SIM Service Center (SSC).

The way in which the security code is formed is further backwards, but it is only to be expected that a random number is included in it, the random number itself being preferably a function of the message which can be defined by the operator of the communication network.

The following illustrations give an example of the details of the invention. Fig. 1 the basic design of a mobile network according to the state of the art, operating according to the GSM standard,Fig. 2 a mobile network according to the invention, extended according to the GSM standard,Fig. 3 a mobile phone with a chip card for a mobile network according to Fig. 1 and 2,Fig. 4 a first flowchart showing the function of the filter according to the invention,Fig. 5 a second flowchart showing the basic operation of the filter,Fig. 6 the design of an SMS message frame according to the GSM standard,Fig. 7 the design of a data frame with a message code for a particular service,Fig. 8 and 2, a data transmission device designed to detect the transmission of a mobile message.

Based on a preferably digitally operated cellular mobile network as defined in the GSM standard or the DCS 1800 standard, the device of the invention includes the network extensions shown in Figure 2.

To transmit and receive messages containing the identification code of the invention in their data telegram, the devices 4, 9 intended for this purpose are equipped with a filter 12.1. This filter is preferably a software module and either contained in a memory in the device itself or preferably on a chip card, the latter of which can be inserted into a read-write device located on the device 4.

The Short Message Service Center (SMS-C) 8 forwards data telegrams transmitted from terminals 4, 9 to a Special Services Operations Center (SSC, SIM Service Center) 10. This operation center is also assigned a filter 12.2, which returns data telegrams without an identification code directly to the Short Message Service Center 8 and only processes those with an identification code. The operation center preferably assigns a logic module (SVL 1, SVL n, Service Logic) 11.1 to 11.1 for each particular service, for which an example has already been briefly mentioned in the description introduction.

The SIM Service Center 10 works in conjunction with Module 14, 15 to manage the credentials of individual subscribers authorized to send messages with an identification code, and to calculate, encrypt and control a security code contained in the identification code. The first of these modules is essentially a database 14 in which subscriber identification data of subscribers authorized to use the special services are stored. In the second module 15, the Authentication Center, in particular, a security code contained in the identification code is checked for messages received or calculated and encrypted for messages to be transmitted.

The advantage is that the SIM Service Centre 10 is also associated with a Voice Respond Unit 13 which, in particular, provides assistance by voice messages to a subscriber requesting a particular service to access the particular service requested.

A mobile telephone, as commonly used in a communication device of the invention, as shown in the example, is shown in Fig. 3. The mobile telephone consists of an operating field or keyboard 16, a display field, especially in the form of an LC display 17, an antenna 18, a hearing aperture 19, behind which a hearing aid is placed to output a voice communication, and a microphone aperture 20, through which acoustic signals to be transmitted are fed to a microphone. The mobile phone 4 also has an aperture 21 for inserting a card. Within the aperture or slot 21 is a writing-L-chip front device, which can be used to exchange a chip between the terminal and a data carrier.The chip card 22 requires at least 8 kilobytes of EEPROM memory to work with the special services, which is contained on the chip 23 and not shown in the figure. The chip 23 is connected electrically to the read-write device on the mobile phone via a contact field 24 consisting of several individual electrical contacts. The chip 23 has a reference number 25 for a storage area containing a COS Card Operating System. The number 26 for the storage area in which the filter of the invention 12.1 is stored.The figures do not show this.

The operation of the filter 12.1 for identification of the identification code in accordance with the invention can be demonstrated by the operation of the filter 12.1 on the chip 23 of a chip card and inserted into the operating system, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The chip card operating system 25 is divided into a first part 25.1, which detects, in particular, whether a data telegram with the standardised data prefix or header defined in accordance with GSM 4.08 or GSM 3.40, is present in a flow of information reaching the terminal equipment. If such a short message is detected, the first part of the operating system 25.1 ensures that the corresponding data telegram is detected.The filter is a software-based branching circuit with one input and two outputs, whereby data telegrams not containing the identification code are fed directly to a first output connected to block 25.2, a second part of the operating system. Such a data telegram is now stored on the chip card according to the state of the art. This is usually done by means of instructions which may be contained, for example, in the second part of the operating system 25.2.This is necessary because messages are transmitted within the communication network according to certain priority criteria, which are not to be discussed here, and which are responsible for ensuring that several messages of a message in a sequence can be received by any receiving device, which sequences do not necessarily have to be in the correct order. To avoid any difficulties, a storage area or stack is provided on the chip 28,The message is then processed, and the message is automatically processed immediately, if it is a single message.

Fig. 5 shows another flowchart showing the basic operation of the filter of the invention. Once a data telegram has been determined to be a message (block 29) according to the GSM standard, a first query block 30 checks whether the data telegram contains a correct identification code. If this is not the case, the message is passed to block 25.2 at the first filter output.In case of incorrect synchronization, the data telegram is transmitted directly to block 25.2 via the first output. In case of correct synchronization, a third query block 32 determines whether the message just received is a complete message or whether it is only a partial message. How this is determined is also described further back. If the received message is a complete message, it is directly fed to module 27 for immediate processing.In this case, the partial message is stored in the dedicated stack 28 at least until all partial messages are available and processing can begin, which is monitored in decision block 34.

The filter 12.2, preferably also a software module, stored in a storage area of the Special Services Centre (SSC), is functionally equivalent to the filter described above.

A data telegram for sending a short message using the standardised Short Message Service (SMS) is shown in Fig. 6. The data telegram 35 is defined according to the GSM standard with a length of 176 bytes. It comprises a data prefix or header 36, 37, which comprises a first block 36 of 13 bytes in length, which contains subscriber address data, which, as already mentioned, are defined according to the GSM standard 4.08.

In addition to the data prefix, a standard data telegram contains 140 bytes, which essentially contain the notification information.

In contrast to the data telegram just described, Fig. 7 shows a data telegram 39 containing the identifier code 40 of the invention, called the Transport Protocol Data Unit (TP-DU). The data telegram is also 176 bytes long according to the GSM standard and includes the same data prefix or header, consisting of blocks 36, 37. Preferably, it is followed by the identifier code 40. This is again made up of several blocks 41, 42, 43. These blocks, necessary for an error-free flow of information for messages attributed to special services, include a first block marked 41 with information on the messages for a full number of messages, the information on the corresponding position in the full message, the information on the number of messages for the full number of messages, the information on the number of messages for the full number of messages for the full number of messages for the full number of messages for the full number of messages for the full number of messages for the full number of messages for the full number of messages for the full number of messages for the full number of messages for the full number of messages for the full number of messages for the full number of messages for the full number of messages for the full number of messages for the full number of messages for the full number of messages for the full number of messages for the full number of messages for the full number of messages for the full number of messages for the full number of messages for the full number of messages for the full number of messages for the whole message for the whole message for the whole message for the whole message for the whole message for the whole message for the whole message for the whole message for the whole message for the whole message for the whole message for the whole message for the whole whole whole message for the whole whole whole message for the whole whole whole whole message for the whole whole whole message for the whole whole whole whole whole message for the whole whole whole whole message for the whole whole whole whole whole message for the whole whole whole whole whole whole message for the whole whole whole whole whole whole whole whole message for the whole whole whole whole whole whole whole message for the whole whole whole whole whole whole whole whole whole whole message for the whole whole whole whole whole whole whole whole whole whole whole whole whole whole message.Block 42 contains data on the synchronization of messages, which will be discussed in more detail later. The same applies to block 43, which contains a calculated security code from the data in block 42 and from secret data stored on both the sending and receiving sides. In the case of mobile phones, the secret data is contained on the chip card and in the SIM service center in the associated database. Further information is also described below on the basis of the explanation of the process of a message transmission.

One such process of message transmission is shown in Figure 8. There, the mobile network is shown in a diagram, as shown in Figure 2, which is more suitable for explaining the above process. In the chosen diagram, the radio cells 2, the base stations 3, the controllers for several base stations 5, the mobile centre 6, and a wired telephone network 7 connected to them are combined in a single field. Outside this field, two terminals are shown, in particular mobile phones 4 with a SIM card 22 each. The two mobile phones 4 are assigned to subscriber A and subscriber B. If they are far from the common field, the central data centre for the short-range service, the SMS-Central (Short Message Centre) 6 and the associated wired telephone network 7 are combined in a single field. Outside this field, two terminals, in particular mobile phones 4 with a single chip card 22 each, are shown. The two mobile phones 4 are assigned to subscriber A and subscriber B. If they are far from the common field, the central data centre for the short-range service, the SMS-Central (Short Message Centre) 8 is shown in Figure 15. The same module is also assigned to the shared service, the SMS-Central (Short Message Centre) 8 and the Voice Response Service (Short Message Centre) 12 and the two modules are connected in a special mode 14 to the same service, and the voice response service is also assigned to the same service (Audio-controlled) 14.

Participant A, who has inserted his personal chip card 22 into a mobile phone 4 and is identified and identified by this chip card, dials a service number using the keys on his control panel. This may be a toll-free telephone number, for example. This call a is sent to Voice Respond Unit 13 via the unrepresented mobile phone exchange, which invites Participant A to select a service by means of a voice message.

After selecting the service, which is then performed by the participant A using the buttons of the control panel, the Voice Respond Unit 13 signals the SIM Service Center 10 that the participant A has selected, for example, the SVL 1 service.

The SIM Service Center 10 now checks using the database 14 whether the customer is known and eligible for the SVL 1 service. If not, for example, the request is rejected by a corresponding announcement from the Voice Respond Unit. If yes, the first message is generated for the desired SVL1 service, and by calling the Authentication Center 14 a security code that forms a cryptogram. The generation of such a cryptogram or a word encrypted by certain rules can be done, for example, by the well-known DES standard.

This one obeys an equation, for example. The following table shows the data for the calculation of the RSI:

In this Regulation, the following definitions shall apply: SRES Signed Responds A3 secret algorithm stored in both the Authentication Centre 15 and the chip card 22, the secret key, which is also present in both the Authentication Centre 15 and the relevant participant's card 22, RAND Random/ Random number or test sum, e.g. derived from the content of the first message according to the invention as follows: RAND = f (message) is the number of times the

The function to be used to extract the random number or checksum from the message can be set by the participant himself during an identification procedure when the chip card is first used, but this procedure will not be discussed here. It can be a mathematical function that is somehow linked to the length of the message, for example.

The cryptogram SRES, calculated according to the above formulas, is stored in block 43 of the identifier code 40 in the data telegram for the first message. The database 14 determines the current synchronization counter for the chip card 22 of participant A. The content of the synchronization counter is also part of the identifier code and is stored in block 42. In block 41 of the identifier code, the number of messages includes the requested message to be transmitted to participant A and which message is being processed within a message. These operations are indicated in Fig. 8 by the letter c.

The SIM Service Center 10 then sends the message thus processed, which may consist of one or more messages or data telegrams, to participant A or to its chip card 22 inserted in a terminal device 4. All messages are sent as GSM Class 2 messages, as mentioned at the beginning. The sending of such a message is marked with the letter d. Once a message that has passed the test criteria of the filter on the chip card is stored on participant A's chip card, it is generated by a positive feedback, marked with e, and returned to the SIM Service Center.

According to the GSM standard, all messages are sent and received via a Short Message Center (SMS-C) 8.

The filter of the invention 12.1, contained in a storage area on the chip card 22 of Participant A, detects incoming messages, collects partial messages in the chip card stack 28 and executes the card application when all partial messages have arrived, which can be determined by block 41 from the identifier code 40.

The card can, for example, generate new outgoing messages as a result of the received messages and send them as SMS MO-PP short messages (see bottom section, page 2) to the Short Message Service Center 8 which, based on the identifier, forwards the messages to the SIM Service Center 10.

A cycle d, e, f can be repeated any number of times depending on the desired particular service and the chosen logic module 11.1 to 11.n. The SIM Service Center 10 increases the synchronization counter per card with each message and forms a corresponding cryptogram for each message, so that the chip card of participant A can verify the authenticity of the data. The feedback from the chip card of participant A to the SIM Service Center 10 is preferably also encrypted according to the above formulas.

The order of blocks 41, 42, 43 is not essential to the invention and may be arbitrary.

Claims (10)

1. Device for transmitting messages in a communication network for voice and data processing having a plurality of terminals (4, 9) which are allocated to a specific user or can be allocated to a specific user by means of a data carrier (22) insertable in the terminal, at least two terminals (4, 9) being capable of entering into voice or data communication with one another, and having at least one centre (8) for controlling the message transmission within the communication network, each message transmission being a data communication wherein data telegrams (35, 39) are exchanged, containing a standardized data header (36, 37) for establishing the identity of the subscriber and the authenticity of the message, and having at least one central unit (10) present in the communication network, at least some of the terminals (4, 9) and the central unit (10) having means for generating the data header (36, 37) of the data telegrams (35, 39), the data telegrams being transmitted either from the central unit (10) to at least one of the terminals (4, 9) or from one of the terminals to the central unit (10), there being facilities for checking the data header (36, 37) in the central unit (10) and in said at least some of the terminals /(4, 9), characterized in that the data telegrams contain an identification code (40) definable by the respective network provider, that the central unit (10) and said at least some of the terminals (4, 9) have means for generating the identification code (40) and filters (12.1, 12.2) for recognizing the identification code (40), the identification code (40) being a security facility definable by the respective network provider for the transmission of certain messages and being contained in the data telegram immediately following the standardized data header.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication network is a digitally operating communication network, particularly a cellular mobile radio telephone network (1) according to the GSM or DCS 1800 standard.
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each of the filters (12.1, 12.2) associated with the terminals (4, 9) has a software module contained in a storage means (26) in the terminal (4, 9) or on the data carrier (22).
4. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least some of the terminals are mobile radio telephones (4), each comprising a device (21) for exchanging data with the data carrier, particularly with a chip card (22) insertable in the mobile radio telephone.
5. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that data telegrams (39) containing the identification code (40) are merely part of a message comprising a plurality of data telegrams (39), the number of data telegrams for the complete message and information for the position of a respective data telegram within the message being contained in each data telegram in the identification code.
6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that there is a checking means (32) which works in such a way that each data telegram belonging to a message is stored in the storage means (25, 26), and that the further processing of the data telegrams does not take place until the complete message is present in the storage means.
7. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that modules (14, 15) for managing authorization data of individual subscribers authorized to transmit messages (39) having the identification code (40) and for calculating, encoding, and checking a security code (43) contained in the identification code (40) are associated with the central unit (10).
8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the value of a random number (RAND) is included in the security code (43), the random number itself being preferably a function of the message defined by the provider of the communication network.
9. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the data telegrams provided with the identification code (40) are components of special services offered by the communication network provider.
10. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the data telegrams (39) provided with the identification code (40) contain the message information (44) in encoded form.