WO1998042120A1

WO1998042120A1 - Method and system for automatically loading and/or executing services in a smart card

Info

Publication number: WO1998042120A1
Application number: PCT/FR1998/000539
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michel Roux; Jean-Paul Kirik; David Levy
Original assignee: Gemplus S.C.A
Priority date: 1997-03-19
Filing date: 1998-03-17
Publication date: 1998-09-24
Also published as: FR2761219A1; AU6924798A; FR2761219B1

Abstract

The invention concerns a method and a system for automatically loading and/or executing services offered to cellular telecommunication network user, comprising a central server associated with a set of transmitting terminals and a set of telephone terminals (2) operating with a SIM card (3). The method consists in the following steps: supplying a correspondence table between triggering data and services associated with these data, said table being memorised in a storage unit of said system; transmitting, via the cellular telephony network, a message comprising at least one information triggering execution or downloading of a service; receiving said message through the cellular receiver; identifying said triggering information with the SIM card; deducing by means of said correspondence table the service to be executed and/or downloaded; executing and/or downloading the corresponding service associated with the information which has been automatically identified or with the previous agreement of the subscriber.

Description

Method and system for automatic loading and / or execution of services in a smart card.

The present invention relates to a method and a system for the automatic loading and / or execution of services offered to a user of a cellular telecommunications network as well as the associated terminal and SIM card.

Currently, a subscriber to a cellular telephone network has the possibility of being offered services or information directly on his mobile telephone set. Such a station contains a smart card called a SIM card. This card serves among other functions to identify the user of the mobile telephone on the network to which he is connected and to allow the implementation of a procedure for connection to the network.

Mechanisms such as SMS (Short Message Service) can be used for this purpose. Such a mechanism can also allow a cellular telephone operator to modify the content of a memory of its SIM card.

Among the information available on the telephone is also information concerning the country where the user is located and which is detected directly by the mobile telephone via the cellular network.

The inventor foresaw that the service offer, the information offer and the offer to modify the content of the memory of a SIM card tend to develop very rapidly and that this development will complicate the use of the telephone set by a user. An additional problem now arises with application cards (cards containing one or more applications) which it is necessary to modify or use at times which may be deemed appropriate for the user.

Thus, with regard to PME cards (electronic wallet), there is no universal wallet system, each

COPY OF CO FIRMATICN entity issuing the application implementing a standard which may be specific to it or common to several entities.

Several cases exist, so the wallet system can be implemented according to different geographical areas (country, region, city or several countries, several regions, several cities) and can be adopted by a bank or a group of banks.

A traveler using an electronic wallet card cannot therefore cross borders and continue to pay with his electronic wallet card transparently. The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

Its primary objective is to simplify the use of the various services offered to holders of application smart cards and to allow any information and / or service or application to be executed and / or loaded via the network at the appropriate time (passage from one zone to another, precise date ...)

In particular, it has as another objective to propose solutions by mechanisms making it possible to guarantee a “virtual” interoperability of the payment system by electronic wallet. The mechanisms proposed are as follows: - when a user does not have the electronic wallet application of the country where he is traveling, a first mechanism consists in providing him with this application.

- when a user already has an electronic wallet application in the country where he resides and this application is also implemented in the country where he is traveling, a second mechanism offers him the conversion of money into local currency from his wallet.

- when a user moves from country to country of which he does not know if his electronic wallet application works in the country crossed or when he does not necessarily know the corresponding local standard, the solution proposed consists in offering him the services he may need at the right time. Thus, it is allowed to pay the simplest possible with his electronic wallet card when moving from one geographic area to another.

To this end, the present invention firstly relates to a method for the automatic loading and / or execution of services offered to a user of a cellular telecommunication network, comprising a central server associated with a set of transmitting terminals and a set of telephone terminals operating using a SIM card, said central server being able to establish communication between at least two terminals, and to issue control instructions and / or information intended for one of the terminals comprising the following steps consisting in:

providing a correspondence table between trigger data and services associated with this data, said table being stored in a memory space of said system,

- send, via the cellular telephone network, a message or containing at least one data triggering the execution and or downloading of a service,

- receive said message by the cellular receiver,

- identify said trigger data by the SIM card,

- deduct using the said correspondence table the service to be executed and / or downloaded,

- run and / or download the corresponding service associated with the data that has been identified automatically or with the prior agreement of the subscriber.

Thanks to these provisions, the user can have access to the various services at the appropriate time, in particular, the various services relating to the electronic purse.

Advantageously in particular for reasons of convenience, simplicity, efficiency, the method preferably provides that the SIM card itself controls the execution and / or the downloading of all or part of a service or of its updating. According to a characteristic of the process, the SIM card identifies the triggering data and deduces the service to be executed or downloaded by consulting said table.

As regards in particular the geographic change, the SIM card can initiate a service proposal to the user independently of the central service, the mobile telephone set being able to detect a change of territory itself and communicate a corresponding data accessible by the SIM card.

According to a variant implementation of the method, the central service can consult said table and send said trigger element to the terminal concerned. Said table can be found in a memory of the central service. It can be stored in the SIM card.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the method, the service to be executed and / or downloaded is located in a card distinct from the SIM card, said distinct card possibly being in communication link with the SIM card via the terminal.

Thanks to this feature, it is possible to intervene via the network and the SIM card on any application card such as SME card, health card, etc.

This characteristic results from the advantage of having independence between the SIM card and an application card. It is indeed useful to stay connected to the network when using an application card elsewhere.

However, as described below, it is also possible to have a SIM card which combines the functions of an application card or vice versa. The invention also relates to a system for the automatic loading and / or execution of services offered to a user of a cellular telecommunications network, comprising a central server associated with a set of transmitting terminals and a set of telephone terminals. operating using a SIM card, said central server being capable of establishing communication between at least two terminals, and of transmitting ordering instructions and / or information for one of the terminals. It is characterized in that it comprises:

- A correspondence table between data triggering the supply of services and said services associated with this data, said table being stored in a non-volatile memory space which can be consulted by it.

This system makes it possible to manage the various services offered to the user in a simple manner, to select them and to offer them, if necessary, at the appropriate time.

A SIM card for implementing the method of the invention may include a program adapted to enable it to control itself the execution and / or the downloading of all or part of a service or of its updating consisting in: :

- receive a message containing trigger data, through the cellular receiver, - identify said trigger data,

- deduct using a correspondence table the service to be executed and / or downloaded,

A telephone set which can be used for implementing the method may include an interface with a SIM card and an interface with an application smart card.

It may also include means suitable for conveying data relating to a service and / or an application to said application card under the control of the SIM card.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows of an exemplary embodiment and implementation. It should be read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 schematically represents an overall view of a telecommunications network according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a SIM card according to the invention, FIG. 3 is a representation of an application card,

- Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of the method.

Figure 1 shows the components of a system according to the invention. It includes the following elements: - a central server (0) of a cellular telephone operator and SMSC message, the server of the cellular telephone operator being interconnected with the short message server center (SMSC: short message service center) . Through these two servers, the operator can send short messages (SMS) to SIM cards (3) via mobile phones (2) using SMSC.

- a cellular terminal (1) of the telephone operator, among a set of terminals installed on the surface of its network. These terminals allow a user to be connected to the operator's network.

- a mobile phone (2) of the user. A mobile telephone is composed of a receiving antenna, a battery, a display screen, one or more card interfaces, a microprocessor containing system software.

The mobile phone can be equipped with a single card interface or with two card interfaces. - a SIM card (3). This card is present in the user's mobile phone and allows them to be identified by the cell phone operator.

- an application card if necessary as a second user card. This card, when it exists, contains applications of a type other than the SIM card application. These applications can be electronic wallet, loyalty applications, etc. - a server (5) of a service provider. In the example it is financial services. This server is interconnected to the operator's server (0) via its network. In the case where the service is an electronic wallet application, the service provider implements a server dedicated to this application.

FIG. 2 represents elements contained in the SIM card, allowing the implementation of the invention. the SIM card (3) includes a microprocessor, a read-only memory

(ROM), a random access memory (RAM) and an EEPROM type memory. The read only memory (ROM) and the EEPROM memory contain software and data allowing the operation of the SIM card. These include system software and service software.

The card service software includes a selection menu (6) for several services. This menu can be displayed on the screen of the mobile phone, and allows the user to select a service available in the SIM card. The service software also contains available services and a table of conditions or trigger data.

The condition table is included in the ROM or EEPROM type memory of the SIM card. A trigger condition or data can correspond to a temporal event such as for example the first day of each month or have a geographical character and correspond for example from a border, to the arrival in a region of a country.

When a condition is met, it triggers a timely suggestion to use a service offered or its automatic execution.

In this case, the user can accept or refuse the service. A condition table may also be present at the level of an operator or a service provider connected to the operator's network.

FIG. 3 represents elements contained in the application card, if it exists. The application card is able to receive the services implemented by the SIM card, for example via a telephone comprising two interfaces.

In the case of a terminal with a single card interface, the application card and the SIM card can be merged into a single card. As an alternative, in the case of two cards, a temporary memory can be provided in the terminal (telephone), the application card being inserted after reception of the data to collect the data from the temporary memory.

The application card (7) is composed of a microprocessor (8), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM) and a memory of the EEPROM type. The read only memory (ROM) and the EEPROM memory contain software and data enabling the application card to operate, in particular system software and application software (example of electronic purse software, management software for Loyalty points...).

Several complements to the embodiment are described below.

1) Case of a mobile phone allowing the insertion of 2 (or more) smart cards.

In this case, the user has a mobile telephone comprising at least 2 card interfaces. The first interface allows the insertion of the card

SIM identifying the user of the telephone on the network to which he is connected.

The additional card interface (s) allow the user to insert cards of another type (bank card, loyalty card, health card, etc.).

2) First case of a mobile phone allowing the insertion of only one card.

In this case, the user has a mobile phone equipped with a single card interface. The user removes the SIM card contained in his phone to replace it with a card of another type (bank card, loyalty card, health card ...). The replacement card has the minimum necessary functions allowing the user to be identified on the network to which it is connected, and to access the services relating to the inserted card.

3) Second case of a mobile phone allowing the insertion of only one card. In this case, the user has a mobile phone equipped with a single card interface. The smart card contained in the mobile phone is a SIM card identifying the user on the network to which he is connected. The SIM card also contains functions other than those relating to telephony, such as electronic wallet functions, loyalty functions ... The user does not need to insert an additional card in his phone in the part of the invention. On the other hand, he removes his SIM card from his mobile phone and uses it to pay, earn loyalty points ...

The process of the invention will now be described using the flow diagram of FIG. 4.

This example describes the application download, in the case of the use of a mobile telephone having two card interfaces. The example can be generalized to a mobile telephone having only one card interface (as suggested in step 190).

In step 100, the user's mobile phone receives the indication of the country where it is located. This indication allows the triggering of an application: it is trigger data. In the case where the data triggering an application is not detectable by the mobile phone, the operator or an external service provider connected to the operator's network, sends the necessary information in the form of a short SMS message to the SIM card, via the user's mobile phone (step 110).

The operator or the service provider can use a table of conditions making it possible to identify the elements necessary for the implementation of services in SIM cards. In the next step 120, the SIM card takes control (controls the rest of the steps). Prior to the identification of the trigger data in the received message, it can proceed to the authentication of the message.

In the next step 130, the SIM card interprets the trigger data (or element) and determines the service or services to be implemented. Interpretation of the trigger data may require the use of a condition table (9). This table of conditions indicates to the SIM card the services (S1, S2, S3, ...) which can be implemented in a timely manner depending on whether the character of the indicator (trigger data) is geographic or temporal.

In the next step 140, the SIM card triggers the service or services already existing in the card, automatically, relative to the previous step. The execution of the service can also be suggested to the user. In this case, the SIM card controls the user's mobile phone and displays a suggestion of services through a menu. For example :

- download one or more local electronic wallet applications.

- convert money from an existing wallet into local currency.

It is understood that these pre-established functions in the card allow the process to efficiently and quickly complete the loading and / or the service offer to the user.

In the next step 150, the user selects a service using the menu system, for example the download of a local wallet.

Then, in step 160, the SIM card (3) manages the implementation of the service in a secure manner. The SIM card manages the data entry allowing the implementation of the service, for example by asking the user to possibly enter a PIN, the identity of the local wallet chosen in the case where several local wallets are available ...

In the next step 170, the SIM card calls the server of the financial services provider to request a download of an electronic wallet application. The telephone number of the service provider can be pre-contained in the SIM card or sent by SMSC. In the next step 170, the SIM card calls the server of the service provider. The SMSC server is interconnected with the server (5) of the financial service provider concerned by the download request. The provider's server sends him the information (data and orders) necessary for the implementation of the application download.

In the next step 180, the SMSC server transmits the information received from the server (5) to the SIM card via the mobile phone.

In step 190, the SIM card transmits the download information to the application card (7) present in the second card interface of the mobile phone. The SIM card controls the mobile phone in order to send commands and data to the second card via the second card interface of the mobile phone.

In the case of using a mobile phone with a single card interface: if a single card performs the functions of the SIM card and the application card, the last step is simplified. The SIM card downloads the electronic wallet application into its own memory.

Complements to the exemplary implementation of the invention are indicated below

Detection of the country crossed:

A user crosses the border of a country. The mobile phone detects information indicating the country crossed. The SIM card of the user's mobile phone detects the change of country thanks to the message received. This allows the mobile phone to display the crossed country on its screen. Services offered to the user:

The SIM card contains the necessary information allowing the mobile phone to display a menu of services. This menu offers the user services relating to electronic wallet applications such as loading a local wallet application, converting money from an existing electronic wallet to local currency ... The additional information necessary for the implementation of these functions is sent to the SIM card via the cellular network, using SMS mechanisms (exchange rate, local currency, local wallet).

Use of the services offered:

The user reads the menus displayed on the screen, then selects and accepts a service offered. The screen of his mobile phone invites him to insert his electronic wallet card into the second card interface.

If the user has a mobile phone with two card interfaces, the SIM card controls the mobile phone and sends commands to the second card interface in order to perform the selected service.

In the previous case of a cell phone with a single card interface, the SIM card can be replaced by an electronic purse card containing certain functions of a SIM card.

Automatic execution:

A user with a mobile phone with two card interfaces changes country. The first card interface contains the SIM card, the second card interface contains a bank card. When he crosses the border, a local electronic wallet application is automatically downloaded to his bank card.

Claims

1. Method for the automatic loading and / or execution of services offered to a user of a cellular telecommunication network, comprising a central server associated with a set of transmitting terminals and a set of telephone terminals operating using a SIM card, said central server being capable of establishing communication between at least two terminals, and of transmitting control instructions and / or information intended for one of the terminals comprising the following steps consisting in:

- send, via the cellular telephone network, a message comprising at least one data item for triggering the execution and or downloading of a service,

- receive said message by the cellular receiver,

- identify said trigger data by the SIM card,

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the SIM card itself controls the execution and / or the downloading of all or part of a service or of its updating.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the SIM card identifies the trigger data and deduces the service to be executed or downloaded by consulting said table.

4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the central service consults said table and issues said trigger element to the terminal concerned.

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that said table is in a memory of the central service.

6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said table is stored in the SIM card.

7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the service to be executed and / or downloaded is located in a separate card from the SIM card, said separate card possibly being in communication link with the SIM card via the terminal.

8. System for the automatic loading and / or execution of services offered to a user of a cellular telecommunication network, comprising a central server associated with a set of transmitting terminals and a set of telephone terminals operating using a SIM card, said central server being able to establish communication between at least two terminals, and to issue control instructions and / or information intended for one of the terminals characterized in that it comprises: - a table correspondence between data for triggering the offer of services and said services associated with these data, said table being stored in a non-volatile memory space which can be consulted by it.

9. SIM card for implementing the method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it includes a program adapted to enable it to control itself the execution and / or the downloading of all or part of '' a service or its update consisting of:

- receive a message containing trigger data, through the cellular receiver, - identify said trigger data, - deduct using a correspondence table the service to be executed and / or downloaded,

10. Telephone terminal for implementing the method according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises an interface with a SIM card and an interface with an application smart card.

11. Terminal according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises means suitable for conveying data relating to a service and / or an application to said application card under the control of the SIM card.