WO2003009615A1

WO2003009615A1 - Access to data from mobile devices

Info

Publication number: WO2003009615A1
Application number: PCT/IE2002/000103
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Cronin
Original assignee: Globe Technical Services Limited
Priority date: 2001-07-18
Filing date: 2002-07-18
Publication date: 2003-01-30

Abstract

A mobile device (1) communicates with an applications server (6) residing outside of its mobile network (2) in real time. A data payload is transmitted in a message with a single USSD network facility request string associated with all applications. A HLR/VLR (3) immediately forwards the message to an access server (4) within the network (2). The access server (4) in turn immediately routes the request to the applications server (6). The applications routing is determined by the message payload and not the service code content. This allows the network facility request mechanism to be used as a generalised data transport pipe for complex point-to-point interactions between a mobile device and an external server. Complexity of the interactions is only limited by the XML payload of the messages or string of messages.

Description

"Access to data from mobile devices"

INTRODUCTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to use of mobile devices such as mobile phones and portable computers for communicating with applications hosted on remote servers.

Prior Art Discussion

In the last number of years mobile network technology has become a familiar part of normal life through mobile phones. However the penetration of mobile voice and short messaging (SMS) has not been echoed in the growth of GSM data applications for business, particularly data capture. The areas of in-field data capture using mobile network technology are not widely exploited at present, however some of methods are. being employed in a limited set of applications: GSM Data Transport (Modem data calls at 9600 bps). Short Messaging (SMS) GPRS Data Transport (Data connections at 9600bps to 56Kb/s)

GSM Data Transnort

In this case the handheld device makes a call to a system with a modem attached and establishes a connection at for example 9600 bps. Then either PPP connection is established and TCP/IP used with FTP to uplink the file, or an older file transfer protocol such as Kermit™ is used. However, connection times are long: possibly up to 1 minute. Effective bandwidth is further limited by the underlay protocols required. Since the connection is continuous, the cost/bandwidth ratio is very unfavourable. Also, connection is traffic sensitive: relies on the number of voice channels available on a given cell, and data channel availability with the switched voice network.

Short Messaging With this case data is inserted into a short message and sent to a receiving system, via an SMSC (short message service centre). Responses are sent in the opposite direction by the same method. A problem is that connection times are unreliable - under traffic loads the SMSC can act as a bottleneck. The risk is doubled by both uplink and downlink being subjected to the same risk. Also, a similar cost is levied for both uplink and downlink, even though the uplink data requirement might be quite small.

GPRS Data Transport

In this case a device makes a connection directly to the network. Then a PPP connection is established to the internet or to the intranet. Problems with this mechanism include: a) Connection times and establishment times still exist. b) Effective bandwidth is further limited by the underlay protocols required. c) Since the connection is continuous, the cost/bandwidth ratio is unfavourable. d) Connection is traffic sensitive: it relies on the number of voice channels available on a given cell. This problem is worse than with other methods as multiple voice channels are employed by the GPRS network.

It is also known to use unstructured supplementary service codes (USSD) to route messages between a mobile device and a node hosting an application. US patent specification numbers US6330445 and US5752188 describe such methods. In these approaches USSD codes are allocated to route messages to applications, thus establishing a one-to-one correspondence between function and service code. This approach is therefore an extension of conventional use of USSD in which a particular service code is associated with a single network function such as call divert. This approach allows limited flexibility due to there being a finite number of service codes. Also, the nature of these accesses is limited to simple and low-level transactions such as retrieving a bus timetable download in a simple request-response mechanism.

The invention is therefore directed towards providing a method for data communication between a mobile device and a server, in which:- connection times are short, and/ or no underlays are required, and/or a connection is session-based, and/or capacity is not adversely affected by the extent of voice traffic, and/ or there is good flexibility in the nature and range of transactions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a method of communication between a mobile device and a server, in which the server is external of a mobile network associated with the mobile device, the method comprising the steps of:-

the mobile device transmitting a message comprising a data payload with a network facility request string;

an element of said mobile network automatically routing said message to the server without delay;

in which the data payload of the message indicates the required application, and the external server routes the message accordingly.

In one embodiment, the invention comprises the further step of the server routing a message back to the mobile device by following the outgoing path in reverse order. In another embodiment, the network facility request stting is a USSD string associated with the external server, and the external server routes the message to one of a plurality of applications indicated by the payload.

In a further embodiment, the data payload is in a mark-up language.

In one embodiment, the mobile device receives the data payload in the structure of a mark-up language form.

In another embodiment, the mobile device extracts the payload data as variable data in the mark-up language form.

In a further embodiment, the mobile device stores a plurality of mark-up language forms and outputs to a user a selected one of said forms for user input of data.

In one embodiment, the mobile device and the server are synchronised for use with the same mark-up language forms.

In another embodiment, the server uses the payload mark-up language attributes for integration with applications hosted on the server.

In a further embodiment, the payload data is directly transferred into an application at the external server.

In one embodiment, the mobile device or the server transmit large payloads in a plurality of messages linked as defined by a protocol for the network facility request.

In another embodiment, the mobile device and the server perform message timing and flow control at mark-up language level. In a further embodiment, the network element immediately routes the message to an access server within the mobile network, and the access server routes it to the external server.

According to another aspect, the invention provides a mobile device comprising means for performing mobile device operations of a method as defined above.

According to a further aspect, the invention provides an application server comprising means for performing application server operations of a method as defined above.

According to a still further aspect, the invention provides an access server comprising means for performing access server operations of a method as defined above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating uplink mobile originating data communication of the invention, and Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating downlink mobile originating data communication;

Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram for policing application communication; and Fig. 4 is a signal transfer diagram for a point of sale application.

Description of the Embodiments

In the invention a mobile device is used for communication with an application hosted on a server which resides external of the mobile network. The mobile device may be a mobile phone or a portable computer having a mobile network interface such as a GSM interface. Data is transmitted with network facility request strings, in the GSM case USSD strings. The network element which receives the string (typically a HLR/NLR) immediately routes the string to the external server without delay. The communication is end-to-end without any internal storage such as exists in the GSM SMS "store and forward" SMSCs. Thus, the communication is effectively real time and so it is very useful for a range of applications such as offence data capture, policing, general information gathering, and point-of-sale.

The USSD string is used to make a connection (point-to-point) with the external server. The outgoing message from the mobile device does not need to specify the required application or service. A single USSD code applies to a range of applications, the code serving merely to establish a data connection between the mobile device and the external server.

The payload is in XML, and this will select the receiving application for decode and response. In essence the routing takes place at the external server (according to the payload) and not in the mobile network domain. There is therefore no risk of exhausting available service codes, and the network operator does not need to configure the network elements for addition of further applications.

Referring to Fig. 1 a mobile device 1 forwards a query as a data string with a USSD code stting. The USSD code, such as "*100*" indicates that the message has a data payload and is not a network facility request such as a request for call forwarding. The data payload is entered by the user in the structure of an XML form. This is specified in the Standard Generalised Markup Language, ISO 8879: 1986(E), expanded by the W3 Internet specification organisation into Extensible Markup Language (XML) 1.0 Specification (W3C Recommendation 10 Feb 1998); and superseded by the Second Edition of the Extensible Markup Language (XML) 1.0 Specification. The XML form is also used by a server 6 with which the mobile device 1 is communicating, as reference to the input.

The query is handled by the mobile network of the device 1, indicated by the numeral 2. Within the network 2 a HLR/VLR 3 receives the query and immediately forwards it to an access server 4, also within the network 2.

The access server 4 provides a route out of the mobile network 2 by activating the external server 6 using C ORB A/ other object oriented protocol over the Internet 5.

The server 6 uses the same XML form structure as that which resides on the mobile device 1 to process the query. In more detail the XML forms are customised for the particular application that is required (an information gathering application would have different forms requirements than an offence processing system). Figure 4 illusttates an XML sequence for point of sale systems. XML is ideally suited to forms processing and also to the implementation of a data communications protocol for forms/text processing across a lower-layer protocol such as USSD. In basis the USSD protocol is used to setup a data pipe over the GSM path (composed of radio network, switching network, and USSD server) through to the third party server. The protocol is composed of basic messaging (to identify the handheld to the third party server, timing control, error control messaging (negative acknowledges on errors etc.) and customised forms messaging specific to the particular handheld/ application pair.

The server 6 generates an XML response in the form of an XML phrase embedded into a USSD stting. The USSD code can be any one assigned by the network operator for use by the third party server, and configured within the mobile network and USSD server to route to the third party server. The response is routed in the opposite direction, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The interface between the server 6 and the access server 4 is via CORBA or a similar object oriented protocol as defined by the manufacturer of the access server 4, and is transparent to the protocol. Near real time interfacing with the access server 4 in the network 2 is inherent in the USSD specification, as it specifies no "store and forward" mechanism to permit delay. Also, the internal link between the access server 4 and the HLR/VLR 3 is achieved in near real time as it is continuously present as part of any GSM network, containing an USSD access server.

Because the data is transmitted with a network facility request stting it is handled immediately by all network elements in its path. Thus, because the interfacing to the external server 6 is also performed without delay the end-to-end communication is effectively real time. This is a considerable advantage over the existing use of SMS for data communication as intermediate message storage in the latter may cause excessive delays.

The external server 6 uses the XML message payload in a very flexible manner to determine in what manner the incoming message should be routed/processed. This may involve onward routing to a further external server and/or internal routing to one of many applications locally residing on the server 6. By using the payload in this manner a greater variety and complexity of services may be provided. USSD is only used as a pipe, not a service selection mechanism. Thus the application/server level is effectively decoupled from the specific configuration of the mobile network. This allows, for example, computing intelligence at both ends of the link. Therefore sophisticated PDAs can use this messaging mechanism for complex interaction. Another advantage is that connection times are very short. Also, because no underlay protocols are involved the effective bandwidth is not limited by such underlays, as occurs for the prior GSM data transport approach.

A still further advantage is that the communication does not rely on use of voice channels, as is the case in GSM data transport and GPRS data transport.

These advantages are very beneficial for a large number of applications, and the following are some examples.

Offence Capture/Policing

The use of handheld devices employing GSM USSD technology divorced from normal voice channels (and thus voice channel congestion), has particular application in the area of law enforcement, used by individuals such as police and ttaffic wardens. In this case the mobile device would be rugged, outdoor-proof handheld, coupled with a suitable printer, and equipped with an USSD capable GSM device. This device would be loaded with a software application, implementing a query ticketing system.

In the case of policing the individual using the device would be able to query back to a centtal offence tracking system (being implemented at this date by many police forces worldwide), the name of offenders, check the ownership of vehicles. In the case of both police and ttaffic wardens if an offence was required to be generated, then the handheld device could then print an offence ticket and same data be uploaded immediately to the central offences server. In all of these cases the bandwidth required is very low and the only requirement is for very low latency.

Another application in this area is to operate as a "panic button" for individuals in dangerous situations as the message would be received instantly, and without the need for setting up either a telephone call, GPRS session, or radio message. Referring to Fig. 3 a PDA 20 is connected locally to a barcode scanner 21 and to a portable printer 22. The PDA 20 has a GSM card 23. The GSM network is indicated by the numeral 24, and this includes an access server 25. The access server 25 communicates via the Internet with a database server 26. Such an arrangement is suitable for policing/offence applications.

Inforniation Gathering /Dissemination

Current Uses

Many of the current systems deployed by courier companies or taxi services employing either GSM modem or SMS technology could be supplanted by using the invention.

Surveying

Currently, on-street surveys are often conducted using paper forms/clipboard sheets. Paperwork conversion to electronic formats could be completely eliminated by using a forms based application on a handheld device to capture the responses to the survey. In this case the bandwidth is also very low as only the responses to the survey need be ttansferred. The online element is less important, but opens up the possibility of real-time gathering, display, and interpretation of results.

Data Capture Meter Reading Currently handheld devices are being used in meter reading applications, but in many cases the devices are required to be handed in each evening to issuing point for the data to be uploaded. In this case a result, or set of results could sent back to the receiving station, and the reader's route modified without return to the centtal station, all during the reader's round. Health Care

Handheld devices in ambulances would allow the users to access digests of patient data, and other interactive information. Even though bandwidth levels for this kind of data are higher than those for other potential applications discussed, it does offer a "fall-back" mechanism for other systems such as GPRS which might be blocked by network congestion (being resident on network voice channels) or hampered by unreliable network quality. USSD data packets are more robust than GPRS connections, and their flow control is determined by the controlling handheld application directly.

Other Outdoor Capture

Other uses include the checking in real-time of licensing information for animals. For example checking the ear-tags/tattoos of horses before races to confirm identity. Another example is to upload results of animal testing in the field. Stock control and inventory in premises too large for a wireless WLAN to be viable would also find an application for this technology.

Point Of Sale Systems

Fig. 4 illusttates a mobile phone vouchering system employing USSD technology. In this example the customer initiates an USSD request but this request is translated by the central system to an incoming request to the merchant's handheld device, allowing the customer and merchant to communicate in real-time using USSD. An important point to note is that the merchant/ system interaction in this case falls within the same scope as other applications suggested for this mechanism.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described but may be varied in construction and detail. In effect any protocol offering similar network function request features to GSM USSD may be used.

Claims

1. A method of communication between a mobile device and a server, in which the server is external of a mobile network associated with the mobile device, the method comprising the steps of:-

the mobile device (1) ttansmitting a message comprising a data payload with a network facility request stting;

an element (3, 4) of said mobile network (2) automatically routing said message to the server (6) without delay;

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising the further step of the server (6) routing a message back to the mobile device by following the outgoing path in reverse order.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the network facility request stting is a USSD stting associated with the external server, and the external server routes the message to one of a plurality of applications indicated by the payload.

4. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the data payload is in a mark-up language.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the mobile device receives the data payload in the structure of a mark-up language form.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the mobile device extracts the payload data as variable data in the mark-up language form.

7. A method as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the mobile device stores a plurality of mark-up language forms and outputs to a user a selected one of said forms for user input of data.

8. A method as claimed in any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the mobile device and the server are synchronised for use with the same mark-up language forms.

9. A method as claimed n any of claims 4 to 8, wherein the server uses the payload mark-up language attributes for integration with applications hosted on the server.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the payload data is directly ttansferred into an application at the external server.

11. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mobile device (1) or the server (6) transmit large payloads in a plurality of messages linked as defined by a protocol for the network facility request.

12. A method as claimed in any of claims 4 to 11, wherein the mobile device (1) and the server (6) perform message timing and flow control at mark-up language level.

13. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the network element immediately routes the message to an access server within the mobile network, and the access server routes it to the external server.

14. A mobile device comprising means for performing mobile device operations of a method as claimed in any preceding claim.

15. An application server comprising means for performing application server operations of a method as claimed in any preceding claim.

16. An access server comprises means for performing access server operations of a method as claimed in any preceding claim.