WO2006000860A1

WO2006000860A1 - Device and method for managing a prepaid telephone service with a simple identification procedure

Info

Publication number: WO2006000860A1
Application number: PCT/IB2005/001618
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nasr El Din Hassanein
Original assignee: Icm Globalnet S.A.
Priority date: 2004-06-08
Filing date: 2005-05-30
Publication date: 2006-01-05

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for managing a prepaid telephone service comprising an operator's server (1) using a software whereof the man-machine interface enables particular telephone numbers to be input by a user, and comprising a database for storing prepaid account data as credit and the particular telephone numbers related to a user's prepaid account, means for detecting the origin of a telephone call from a particular telephone number which is stored in the database, and means for validating access to the operator's telephone network for such a call with a simple identification procedure including the recognition of a simple prefix.

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MANAGING A PREPAID TELEPHONE SERVICE WITH A SIMPLE IDENTIFICATION PROCEDURE

The invention relates to a device and a method for managing a prepaid telephone service, including the storage of data related to the prepaid account of a user and access to the service.

An existing method of managing a prepaid telephone service breaks down into an initial phase of purchase or prepayment of the service and into a second phase of use of the service. Such a method is based on the following steps: • First phase of the purchase of the prepaid service: a user buys a telephone credit by going to a point of sale; during this purchase, a card equivalent to a credit card is given to him, this card including an access number and a secret number protected by a scratch ink, whose function is detailed below. These two large numbers fulfill the function of service access codes. • Second phase of use of the prepaid service: 0 - From any telephone, the user can access the telephone service by first entering the ten-digit access number on the card, whose function is to cause a link with the platform of the telephone operator who delivers the service; 5-Then, the user enters the secret number, appearing on the card and unique for each card, linked to the amount of the prepaid service, and comprising a minimum of ten digits. The function of this secret number is the identification of the card by the operator. Its length is chosen to ensure the security of the system, as it makes it very unlikely that a fraudster will discover an existing combination that would allow him to access to the service. The telephone operator validates the access codes and manages the telephone credit associated with these codes; -Finally, the card being identified, the operator allows access to telephone service in an amount limited to prepaid credit.

A first advantage of this solution is to offer a financial guarantee to the operator through the prepayment mechanism. A second advantage comes from the user-friendliness of the use of a card, adapted to the storage in a wallet and also allowing the transmission of information messages by the operator to the users, such as the transmission of messages of advertising types. . A third benefit to the user of the service is that he obtains access from any telephone.

However, this solution has the following drawbacks: it is not economical because the distributed card is relatively expensive compared to the face value it represents; -It is subject to theft or loss of points of sale, which causes a shortfall to be offset by other sales; - Its security is at the expense of usability because the entry of both numbers is long and makes access to the service not user-friendly. Indeed, this solution requires the entry of at least thirty digits, interrupted by intermediate messages, to reach a correspondent. It takes about a minute and thirty seconds. There is also a significant risk of making a seizure error which in this case makes it necessary to start all the seizure again. This non-usability of a telephone call is also measured in comparison with a call according to a conventional method of calling with a fixed subscription at a telephone operator. To solve the problems related to the above drawbacks, an alternative solution has been proposed, based on the dematerialization of the card of the previous solution, consisting in the distribution to the points of sale of a thermal paper ticket, comprising the two numbers explained herein. above, printed by a terminal of the point of sale after their remote transmission by the operator. This solution is more economical and solves the problems related to the theft of cards during storage at points of sale, as mentioned above. However, this solution has the disadvantage for the user of the non-usability of paper support, which can easily be confused with other tickets and receipts and be lost. In addition, this type of printing on paper has a limited life and tends to fade over time. For the operator, this solution has the disadvantage of not allowing him to easily transmit information messages to his customers. It is also unattractive and affects the image of the operator.

An object of the present invention is to provide a solution for managing a telephone service that includes at best the advantages of the prior art without the disadvantages.

More specifically, a first object of the invention is to provide a solution for managing a telephone service that is prepaid.

A second object of the invention is to provide a solution for managing a telephone service that has an acceptable level of security.

A third object of the invention is to provide a solution for managing a telephone service that is user-friendly. A fourth object of the invention is to provide an economical solution for managing a telephone service which, however, enables an operator to transmit messages in a user-friendly manner.

A fifth object of the invention is to provide a simple solution that allows a user calls by several different operators.

The invention is defined by the content of the claims.

These objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in detail in the following description of a particular embodiment made in a non-limiting manner in relation to the appended figures among which:

Figure 1 is a representation of the device according to the invention; Figure 2 is an illustration of the operation of the management software made available to users at the points of sale.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, shown schematically in FIG. 1, each operator has a MS SQL database server 1, in connection with his telephone network, not shown. This server 1 communicates with a server 2 of a service distributor via a public IP address. Each server 2 of a service distributor is in communication with the various terminals 3 of its points of sale. The system is based, in this implementation mode, on a card 4 whose format is of the credit card type, and has a magnetic strip or an electronic chip that can be read by the terminals 3 of the outlets. When purchasing for the first time a prepaid phone service, the user goes to a point of sale. It is given a card with memory 4 which includes the access number and the secret number, as in the solution of the prior art described above, and a certain credit. The card 4 further comprises a magnetic track. Data identifying the card, such as a secret number, the name of the supplier of the card, by a standardized BIN code, which we will call identification number later for reasons of simplification, are stored on this magnetic strip.

Then, the user enters his card in a point of sale terminal. The reading of the magnetic strip instantly opens a link with the server 1 of the operator corresponding to the card, via the server of the distributor 2, which gives the user access to the management features of his prepaid telephone service account by through a user-friendly software whose operation will be detailed later with reference to Figure 2. In particular, this software allows the user to activate a credit on a card or recharge when it is exhausted and define a number of particular phone numbers. This information is then transmitted to the operator's server 1 via the distributor's server 2, which validates the operation and updates its database by storing this data.

The service management method comprises a security method, partially implemented by the software 5, which allows access to the data recorded on the server 1 for a given account, then the registration of new modified data on this account, after a validation based on parameters relating to the identification of the various intermediaries involved in this operation. For this, the following parameters are transmitted to the server 1 via the server 2 of the distributor: the identification numbers present on the magnetic strip of the card 4 (a secret number, the BIN code to identify the supplier). Note, the BIN code allows the server 2 of the distributor to direct communication to the server 1 of the provider operator of the card. Thus, the distributor can easily and simply manage the services of different operators; -the serial number of the terminal used, as well as an identification code of the point of sale itself.

The server 1 has software that validates the operation by verifying the consistency of these data by a comparison with reference data stored in its database. For this, he has in memory all the different numbers of each card created and the various means of identification of its authorized distribution network.

When a card is read for the first time by a terminal 3 of a point of sale, the server 1 of the corresponding operator activates the prepaid account associated with this card at the same time that it validates this reading. Before this activation, the account can not be used to access the telephone service.

The user can access the service according to a first solution that corresponds to the mechanism existing in the prior art by entering the access number and the secret number or according to a second solution which consists of a simplified mechanism, available only from the telephone sets defined by the particular telephone numbers, previously indicated by the user and stored in the database of the server 1 of the operator. In fact, on the predefined telephone sets, the user can access the service by dialing a simple prefix identifier of the five-digit operator. which is given to him when opening his prepaid account, without interruption by voice messages, before dialing the number of his correspondent, which is a much simpler and shorter procedure than that of the prior art, which s apparent to the calling mechanism from a fixed telephone under a conventional non-prepaid subscription contract with an operator. The operator, selected by the prefix entered, validates the originating telephone number by reading his database and then gives access to the service within the limit of the credit present on the associated account.

As mentioned above, each user can access the points of sale to a management software of his prepaid account, which makes it possible to activate a card put into service for the first time and to reload and modify the parameters of an account linked to a card already in use.

This software 5 is based on a simple and user-friendly human machine interface which makes it possible to implement the functions explained hereinafter in connection with FIG. 2. In order to obtain this user-friendliness, the software essentially relies on three function keys, the key 12 allowing a return back, the key 13 for making a selection, the key 14 being the validation key of the choice made. Preprogrammed function keys, called F1 to Fn, can also be provided, their combination with the three keys mentioned above can also provide an improvement in usability. A particular mode of implementation is described below in the case of activating a new account.

In a first step, the user inserts his card 4 in the card reader of the terminal. After the validation procedure described above, the user accesses a first window 15 displayed on the screen of the Terminal 3 which lists the different types of products and services at its disposal. The user makes his choice by a corresponding function key Fi, which results in the display of a new window 16 corresponding to the choice, the management of the prepaid account in this case.

The window 16 displays a predefined amount corresponding to the credit of the prepaid account. The user can either validate this amount or modify it by means of the keys 13 and 14. the key 12 makes it possible to return to the previous window. When the choice is made and validated by the key 14, the window 17 is displayed.

This one offers him the choice between the service with prefix, ie the management of the simplified mode, or the passage directly to the final stage. The choice is made using the two keys F1 and F2.

The first choice leads the user to a new window 18 which allows him to enter his particular telephone numbers from which he wishes to benefit from the simplified procedure of access to the service. The user can subsequently modify or add numbers using an alphanumeric keypad and / or the key 13. Once the numbers are saved, the user confirms his choice by the key 14. It can also retract and return to the previous window by the key 12. The validation causes the display of the summary window 19.

The second choice leads the user directly to the window 19. This window summarizes the customer's transaction and summarizes the situation of his account: - the product concerned - the amount of the credit - the registered numbers The F1 key or the key 14 enables it to validate its transaction and the cancellation key F2 returns it to the window 15. The new data is then transmitted to the server of the operator 1, via the server 2 of the distributor, in order to update the database.

This management software is user friendly since it allows in very few operations, represented by two or three separate windows, and with a few function keys only, to define the criteria of his prepaid account.

This embodiment of the invention can be implemented with any medium containing a memory, such as a smart card.

Finally, this embodiment of the invention proposes a solution that has the following advantages: it is prepaid; it remains as secure because the distribution of the service is simplified only on predefined and well identified stations, therefore safer by definition, the distribution of the service on any station remaining identical to the solution of the prior art. In addition, the list of numbers of these predefined positions is secured on the server of the operator whose access is secured by the use of a secure card; it is more user-friendly because it offers very simplified access to the service for calls made from certain predefined numbers, the management of these numbers in the points of sale being very user-friendly thanks to the management software, while allowing access by a other procedure from any telephone; the usability also comes from the fact that these simple calls from several different phones correspond to a single account at an operator, whose management is simple. As part of subscriptions conventional non-prepaid with an operator, an account can only correspond to one telephone line; it is based on a standard format card, which makes it possible to transmit information messages. As a note, a solution based on a simple paper ticket would no longer be equivalent in terms of security or would not achieve the same user-friendliness; - it is more economical because the cost of the card is now compensated by an improved service; it solves the problem of card theft at the point of sale, since these are then inactive and the activation procedure requires the intervention of the distributor at the point of sale; it allows to use several different operators for the same phone without causing complication.

According to a second embodiment which is a variant of the above, the opening of a prepaid account and the management of data related to a prepaid account are possible from the Internet.

Remote opening of a prepaid account may include the following steps: - a user goes to the remote account management website; -the user requests the opening of a prepaid account; -the user receives a login and a password to manage his prepaid account;

Next, remote management of a prepaid account can include the following steps: a user goes to the remote account management website; -The user follows an identification procedure that includes the entry of a login and password, which were given to him when opening the account. Alternatively, any other secure access procedure of the prior art can be implemented; after validation of these data, the user accesses a human machine interface of software similar to that described in the first embodiment.

The other implementation elements of this second embodiment remain identical to those of the first embodiment. The two embodiments can be combined: in fact, a user can either access his account via a card at a point of sale, or access his account from the Internet according to the second embodiment.

Finally, the second embodiment of the invention proposes a solution that has the following advantages: it is prepaid; it remains as secure because the distribution of the service is simplified only on predefined and well identified stations, therefore safer by definition, the distribution of the service on any station remaining identical to the solution of the prior art. In addition, the list of numbers of these predefined positions is secured on the server of the operator whose access is secured by secure Internet access; it is more user-friendly because it offers very simplified access to the service for calls made from certain predefined numbers, the management of these numbers is very user-friendly with the management software 5, which is easily accessible remotely. In addition, this solution always allows access to the service by another procedure from any telephone; the usability also comes from the fact that these simple calls from several different phones correspond to a single account at an operator, whose management is simple. In the case of conventional non-prepaid subscriptions with an operator, an account can only correspond to one telephone line; it is based on Internet access on a special site by which the operator can transmit information messages to the users; it is more economical because the cost of the card is removed; it solves the problem of card theft at the point of sale; it allows to use several different operators for the same phone without causing complication.

Finally, it therefore appears that the two proposed embodiments can achieve the desired objects.

Claims

claims

1. A method of managing a prepaid telephone service, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - input by the human machine interface of a software (5) of particular telephone numbers and communication of these numbers to the server (1) an operator for their storage in a database of prepaid accounts; -access to the telephone network of the operator (1) by a telephone with a simple identification procedure including the entry of a prefix, after validation by the server (1) of the operator that the telephone number of the post phone is on the list of particular phone numbers of the corresponding prepaid account in its database.

2. A method of managing a prepaid telephone service according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the following preliminary steps before access to the software (5): - entry of identification data by a user in a software program remote account management on an Internet site; validation of the identification data.

3. A method of managing a prepaid telephone service according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the following preliminary steps before accessing the software (5): - reading a card with memory (4) type magnetic card by a terminal (3); -validation of the memory card (4) by the server (1) of an operator in communication with the terminal (3).

4. A method of managing a prepaid telephone service according to claim 3, characterized in that it further comprises the prior step of activation of the card with memory (4) by the terminal (3) of a distributor. enabling the commissioning of a prepaid telephone account.

5. Management method of a prepaid telephone service according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the step of validating a card with memory (4) by the server (1) of the operator comprises the following steps : reading of the data of the identification numbers stored on the memory of the card (4), comprising a secret number and a BIN identification code of the supplier; transmitting this data to the server (1) of the operator via a server (2) of the distributor; validation of these data by the server (1) by comparison with a reference database.

6. A method of managing a prepaid telephone service according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it also comprises the following step: -rechargement of the credit of the prepaid account in the database of the server (1 ) via the software (5).

7. A method of managing a prepaid telephone service according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it also comprises the following step: -rechargement of his account or storage of particular telephone numbers in the base of server data (1) thanks to a human machine interface based on some function keys and some display windows.

8. A method of managing a prepaid telephone service according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it also comprises the following step: -access to the telephone service from any station after validation by the server (1) the operator of an access number and a secret number entered by the user according to a long procedure corresponding to the entry of many digits.

9. Device for managing a prepaid telephone service comprising a server (1) of an operator characterized in that it implements software (5) whose human machine interface allows a user to enter numbers of particular telephone, in that it includes a database for storing prepaid account data such as credit and particular telephone numbers related to a user's prepaid account, a means for detecting the origin of a telephone call from a particular telephone number which is stored in its database, and means for validating access to the telephone network of the operator (1) for such a call with a simple identification procedure including recognition of a simple prefix.

10. Device for managing a prepaid telephone service according to claim 9 characterized in that it implements software for secure access to the software (5) over the Internet.

11. Device for managing a prepaid telephone service according to claim 9, characterized in that the server (1) comprises a communication means for exchanging data with a terminal (3), this terminal comprising a reader for reading a card with a memory (4) from a user and implementing the software (5) whose human machine interface allows a user to enter particular phone numbers, the server (1) having a validation means of a card with memory (4) of a user.

12. Device for managing a prepaid telephone service according to claim 11, characterized in that the terminal (3) of the point of sale implements with the server (1) of the operator an activation of the card with memory ( 4) of a user during his first use.

13. Device for managing a prepaid telephone service according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the software (5) comprises means for reloading a credit and memorize particular telephone numbers on the server database. (1).

14. Device for managing a prepaid telephone service according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the software (5) of the point of sale comprises a human machine interface based on a few function keys and a few display windows. .

15. Management device for a prepaid telephone service according to one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the server (1) comprises means for providing access to the telephone network of the operator from any set by means of validating an access number and a secret number, entered by the user according to a long procedure corresponding to the entry of many digits.