WO2001024506A2

WO2001024506A2 - Method for telephonically recharging a calling credit account and a telephone card with a chip

Info

Publication number: WO2001024506A2
Application number: PCT/EP2000/009524
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wolfgang Neumes
Original assignee: Wolfgang Neumes
Priority date: 1999-09-28
Filing date: 2000-09-28
Publication date: 2001-04-05
Also published as: WO2001024506A3; DE19946509C2; DE19946509A1; AU1695001A; EP1222801A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for telephonically recharging a calling credit account for telephone units of a user. The inventive method comprises the following steps: The user calls (10) a provider. The user communicates (20) a user number to the provider. The user communicates (30) a PIN to the provider. The provider verifies (40) if the PIN is allocated to the user number and increases (50) the calling credit of the user by a determined amount. The invention also relates to a telephone card (100) with a chip (110). The telephone number of the provider and the user number can be stored on said chip.

Description

Method for the telephone top-up of a call credit and telephone card with a chip.

The invention is concerned with a method for the telephone top-up of a call credit for telephone units of a subscriber and with a telephone card with a chip.

Telephone cards are known which are provided with a call credit of DM 12.00 or DM 50.00 which is stored on a chip. Such telephone cards are made available, for example, by Telekom, so that one can telephone from public telephones with these telephone cards. During a telephone call, the units are downloaded from the chip of the telephone card and the new value of the call credit is stored on the chip. If the entire call credit is telephoned, the telephone card can no longer be used to telephone and it must be thrown away. Charging by a user is not provided with such telephone cards.

Furthermore, prepaid phone cards are known which have a predetermined call credit, which must be telephoned within one year. Such a prepaid phone card is available, for example, for the D2 mobile network. This prepaid phone card can be recharged with a new call credit once the original call credit has been telephoned. To do this, you have to go to a store with the prepaid phone card, in which it is then recharged by reprogramming the chip. The reloading of this prepaid phone card is very expensive. Telephoning the call credit works in principle as with the telephone card described above. The object of the invention is therefore to provide a method and a telephone card by means of which a simplified cashless reloading of the call credit is possible.

The object is achieved by a method for the telephone recharging of a call credit for telephone units of a subscriber with the following steps: calling the provider by the subscriber; Communicating a subscriber number of the subscriber to the provider; Communicating a subscriber's PIN to the provider; Check by the provider whether the PIN is assigned to the subscriber number; and topping up the subscriber's call credit by a certain amount by the provider.

With the method according to the invention, it is possible in a very simple manner that the calling credit can be reloaded from a provider by telephone. There is thus no need to throw away a telephone card whose calling credit has been telephoned. Likewise, it is not necessary to go to a special shop to top up the call credit, but this can simply be done by means of a telephone call. This does not even require a phone card if the provider has a phone number that can be called free of charge. As a result, the method according to the invention can be carried out very simply and without problems. This method is also secure with regard to misuse by an unauthorized third party, since in addition to the subscriber number of the subscriber, the assigned PIN must also be communicated and the provider checks whether the specified PIN is actually assigned to the subscriber number. In the context of this application, a PIN is understood to mean a personal identity number, the term number need not necessarily be a sequence of digits. This can just as well be a word. This personal Identity number can advantageously be embodied on any object, such as a cup, a ballpoint pen, a letter, a CD, a business card, an e-mail, etc.

An advantageous development of the invention provides that the checking is followed by a check by the provider as to whether the subscriber has a valid direct debit authorization and the replenishment is only carried out if this condition is in addition to the condition that the PIN is assigned to the subscriber number , This makes the procedure more secure for the provider in that he can access an account of the subscriber to cover the call credit made available to the subscriber and thus does not run the risk that the subscriber will not be reimbursed for the costs incurred.

A further advantageous development of the invention provides that the subscriber can dial a telephone number, this being done after communicating the

Participant number and / or after communicating the PIN and / or after checking and / or after checking and / or after replenishing. This makes it possible to make a telephone call even while the procedure for reloading by telephone is being carried out. The telephone call can be made at any time of the method according to the invention, for example before the subscriber number is ever communicated to the provider or even after the call credit has been topped up. This makes it possible

Combine telephoning with recharging the call credit without having to interrupt one of the two processes in the meantime. It is particularly advantageous if the replenishment takes place during the telephone call, which is related to the

Dialing then. This makes it possible that if the call credit during the Telephoning is running low, this can be increased without interrupting the telephone conversation.

Another advantageous development of the invention provides that the subscriber number and / or the PIN are communicated by speaking and / or by pressing a key in a tone dialing process. This makes it possible that both the subscriber number and the PIN do not necessarily have to consist of numbers, but that it is also possible to use one word (password) for each. A speech recognition computer on the provider's side recognizes the language and compares it with the password stored there or, in the case of a tone selection process by pressing a button, the letters indicated on the buttons of the phone can be used. The advantage of this is that the participant can generally memorize a word better than a combination of numbers. As a result, the subscriber does not have the problem that, for example, he no longer knows his PIN during a call and the call is inevitably ended when the call credit expires.

A further advantageous development of the invention provides that the calling and / or the communication of the subscriber number or PIN takes place automatically by means of a telephone card with a chip on which the respective data are stored. This further simplifies the method according to the invention, since the subscriber no longer has to call the provider, but instead does this directly from the telephone card. This prevents the subscriber from forgetting the provider's telephone number. It gets even easier if the phone card also automatically communicates the subscriber number to the provider. This also prevents the participant from forgetting this number. The automatic notification of the PIN to the provider further simplifies the procedure, since even forgetting the PIN is harmless for the participant and he can still top up the call credit.

Furthermore, the object is achieved by a telephone card according to the invention with a chip, in which the telephone number of the provider and the subscriber number can be stored on the chip. This takes into account the fact that it often happens that a subscriber forgets one or both numbers and then cannot use the services of the provider.

An advantageous development of the invention provides that the PIN assigned to the subscriber number can be stored on the chip. This also prevents the PIN from being forgotten, so that a telephone call can in any case be made via the provider with the telephone card.

A further advantageous development of the invention provides that the chip automatically calls the provider's telephone number when it receives a certain signal and transmits the subscriber number and / or PIN stored on the chip to it. As a result, it is no longer necessary for the participant to take the steps mentioned by hand, but for this to be done automatically to simplify and accelerate the process.

A further advantageous development of the invention provides that additional data can be stored on the chip, in particular that of a paycard for a bank account, a train card, a credit card, an audio CD, a CD-ROM, a road toll card or a code card, for example for a car radio. This makes it possible to use the phone card not only for telephoning, but also for other functions, the described above are only exemplary. In addition, all other functions that can be controlled or blocked by an electronic process are conceivable.

Further advantages and details of the invention are illustrated by the following explanations of the exemplary embodiments of the invention shown in the figures for a method and for a telephone card. Show it:

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a method according to the invention and Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a telephone card according to the invention.

The method shown as a flow chart in FIG. 1 for the telephone top-up of a call credit for telephone units of a subscriber has as a first step the calling 10 of a provider by the subscriber. This is done by the subscriber entering the provider's telephone number using the keypad of a telephone.

The next step is to communicate 20 a subscriber number of the subscriber to the provider. This subscriber number is carried out by pressing the key 22 of a telephone device with tone dialing. The subscriber number does not necessarily have to be a number consisting of digits, but it is equally possible that it is a word. The individual letters of the word then correspond to the numbers on the telephone keypad, on which they are assigned to the numbers 2 to 9 in modern devices in groups of three or four. This has the advantage that the participant can memorize a word better than a sequence of numbers. This means that he always has his individual subscriber number ready without having to write it down so that he doesn't forget it. The next step involves dialing 25 a telephone number by the subscriber. Dialing 25 is followed by telephoning 26 of the subscriber with the connection selected by him. During the telephone call 26, the subscriber's call credit is reduced in accordance with a predetermined tariff. One possibility is that the subscriber hangs up before his call credit falls below a predetermined limit. This results in the call being ended 60.

The other possibility is that the subscriber's call credit falls below a predetermined limit, so that the provider carries out an announcement 27 in which he is informed that he must top up his call credit, otherwise the telephone connection is interrupted. If the participant does not respond to this, the call is interrupted as soon as their call credit has been used up. A second possibility is that he hangs up beforehand. Both lead to the end of the conversation.

Another possibility is to communicate a PIN of the subscriber to the provider. The PIN also does not necessarily have to be a sequence of digits, as has already been described with regard to the subscriber number, but it can just as well be a password. This also results in the advantages mentioned above with regard to the subscriber number that a subscriber can remember a word better than a sequence of digits. The PIN is also entered using key presses 32, as has already been described above with regard to the input of the subscriber number.

The next step is a check 40 by the provider whether the PIN entered is assigned to the subscriber number entered. If the answer is no, the call credit is not increased and the call is ended after the call credit has been used up 60. If the check 40 shows that the PIN is assigned to the subscriber number, the provider then checks 45 whether he has a valid direct debit authorization from the subscriber. If this is answered in the negative, the call is ended 60 after the call credit has been used up, as described in the explanations for step 40.

If, on the other hand, the existence of a valid direct debit authorization is affirmed, the participant's call credit is topped up by adding a predetermined amount, preferably DM 50, to the account. The telephone call can then continue as described in the execution of step 26.

With this method it is possible that the call credit can be recharged during a telephone call without having to interrupt it. An interruption of a telephone call is annoying and also time-consuming because the call partner has to be called again.

Steps 30, 40, 45 and 50 can also be carried out without the call credit falling below the predetermined limit, in the present case DM 2.50, during the telephone call 20. In order to keep the risk of abuse for the participant as low as possible, it is not possible to top up the call credit for more than 100 DM. This means that the provider will only top up 50 if the call credit is less than 50 DM. This is particularly important if a telephone card 100 is used for telephoning 26, on which the call credit is stored on a chip 110. If the telephone card 100 is lost, the risk for the subscriber is limited to DM 100, since the PIN is required to top up the call credit. It is also possible not to dial 25 and telephone 26 after communicating 20 the subscriber number, but, for example, to dial 35 and telephone 36 after communicating 30 the PIN. It is also possible to carry out dialing 42 and telephoning 43 after the provider has checked 40 whether the PEN is assigned to the subscriber number. There is also the possibility of dialing 47 and telephoning 48 after the provider has checked 45 whether the subscriber has a valid direct debit authorization. Furthermore, dialing 55 and telephoning 56 after the increase 50 is also possible. In principle, the flowchart shown in FIG. 1 changes with these possibilities only in that steps 25 and 26 are inserted with the above-mentioned new numbers after the respectively mentioned steps.

With the described procedure, it is possible to make calls both from within Germany and abroad. It is also possible to use it to make calls from abroad. Another possibility is that the method is also used for mobile radio networks. Only other numbers have to be taken into account when calling the provider 10.

The subscriber also has the option to change his PIN while he is in connection with the provider. This allows him to select his PIN as he likes it best at that time.

FIG. 2 shows a telephone card 100 which has a chip 110 and a further storage medium 120. The chip 110 is programmed in such a way that, in response to a specific signal, the telephone number of the provider stored on it is dialed. For example, this can be done by inserting the phone card 100 into a public telephone and pressing any key. Thereafter, the process, which is shown in the flow chart of Figure 1, runs automatically. For this it is necessary that the subscriber number is also stored on the chip 110. Thus, the two steps 10 and 20 are carried out automatically without the subscriber having to remember a number at all. In the present case, the PIN is not stored on the chip 110 in order to prevent misuse. However, it is equally conceivable that the PIN is also stored on the chip 110 and that it is automatically queried when the call credit is reloaded 50.

The information of a CD-ROM is stored in the further storage medium 120. This information can be obtained from a computer's CD-ROM drive. For example, a presentation of the participant can be stored there. Such a telephone card 100 is therefore very versatile.

After the call has ended 60, the telephone card 100 is removed from the telephone and inserted like a conventional telephone card.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 Call the provider 20 Provide the subscriber number

21, 31 Speak 22, 32 Press a key

25, 35, 42, 47, 55 Dial a phone number

26, 36, 43, 48, 56 telephone 30 notify the PEN

40 Check whether PEN is assigned to the subscriber number

45 Check whether there is a valid direct debit authorization

50 topping up the call credit

60 End the call

100 phone card

110 chip

120 Another storage medium

Claims

claims

1. A method for telephonically reloading a call credit for a subscriber's telephone units, comprising the following steps: - calling (10) a provider by the subscriber;

- Communicating (20) a subscriber number of the subscriber to the provider;

- Notifying (30) a PEST of the subscriber to the provider;

- Checking (40) by the provider whether the PIN is assigned to the subscriber number; and - increasing (50) the call credit of the subscriber by a certain one

Amount by the provider.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the checking (40) is followed by a check (45) by the provider as to whether the subscriber has a valid direct debit authorization and the replenishment (50) is only carried out if this condition is additionally the condition exists that the PEN is assigned to the subscriber number.

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the subscriber can dial (25, 35, 42, 47, 55) a telephone number, this after the notification (20) and / or after the notification (30) and / or after checking (40) and / or after checking (45) and / or after replenishing (50).

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the increase (50) takes place during a telephone call (26, 36, 43, 48, 56), which follows the dialing (25, 35, 42, 47, 55).

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the notification (20) and / or the notification (30) by speaking (21; 31) and / or by pressing buttons (22; 32) in a tone dialing process.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the calling (10) and or the notification (20) and / or the notification (30) is carried out automatically by a telephone card (100) with a chip (110) on which the respective data are stored.

7. Telephone card (100) with a chip (110), characterized in that the telephone number of the provider and the subscriber number can be stored on the chip.

8. A telephone card (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that the PIN assigned to the subscriber number can be stored on the chip (110).

9. Telephone card (100) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the chip (110) automatically calls the telephone number of the provider when it receives a certain signal, and this transmits the subscriber number and / or PIN stored on it.

10. Telephone card (100) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that on the chip (110) and / or a further storage medium (120) which is arranged on the telephone card (100), additional data can be stored, in particular that of a paycard for a bank account, a Bahncard, a credit card, an audio CD, a CD-ROM, a road toll card or a codecard, for example for a car radio.