Method for crediting or recrediting a data card with a given amount

• US 6,375,073 B1
• Filed: 04/20/1999
• Issued: 04/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Swisscom AG (Government of Switzerland)
• Original Assignee: Swisscom AG (Government of Switzerland)
• Inventors: Aebi, Paul, Bruin, Ronald de, Ritter, Rudolf, Martschitsch, Andreas
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech, Karl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LE, UYEN CHAU N
• Application Number:
  US09/242,900
• Time in Patent Office: 1,099 Days
• Field of Search: 235/380, 235/381, 235/375, 235/492, 235/487, 235/379, 235/468, 705/41, 705/39, 379/357
• US Class Current: 235/379
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/363 with the personal data of a user
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0866 by active credit-cards adapted therefor G07F7/1008 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/751 Card based account, e.g. smart card, SIM card or USIM
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/00 Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems using a coded card to authorise calls from a telephone set H04M1/675
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/20 with provision for recharging the prepaid account or card, or for credit establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7209 Card based, e.g. smart card, SIM card or USIM
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing

Abstract

A method for loading or reloading a SIM card (7) for a mobile device (6). The SIM card (7) has an electronic chip with a storage device (11). In the storage device (11) a monetary sum (28) is stored, and decreases as the mobile telephone is used. For loading or reloading the monetary sum, a prepayable value card (13) is purchased. The value card (13) has a code field (14) covered by a removable opaque layer (22). Upon removal of the layer (22), a code (15) becomes visible. The holder of the SIM card and the value card calls a service number using a communication apparatus (6, 8). The caller is thereby connected to a data base (17) in which all codes assigned to value cards (13) and the sum of money associated with each code are stored. The caller is prompted to enter the code (15) on the calling communication apparatus. The code (15) entered is compared with the codes stored in the data base (6, 8). If the entered code (15) is found in the data base, a short message containing the value of the monetary sum (28) to be loaded or reloaded is prepared and temporarily stored in a short message service center (18, 19). The monetary sum (28) and the code (15) are marked in the data base (17) as used or cancelled. The next time the SIM card (7) is inserted in any mobile telephone (6) and a connection is established with the communication network (9), the SIM card (7) to be loaded or reloaded is loaded or reloaded with the temporarily stored monetary amount (28) via of the prepared short message (20).

Claims

1. A method for loading or reloading a data medium card with a value of a sum of money, which data medium card is provided with an electronic chip including a storage device in which the value of the monetary sum is stored, comprising:

purchasing a prepayable value card for a certain amount of money,

exposing a concealed code field on the value card by the owner of the card, whereby a code becomes visible,

calling a service number for a communication network from a communication apparatus, whereby a caller is connected to a data base in which all codes assigned to value cards and the amount of money associated with each respective code are stored,

prompting the caller to enter the code in the calling communication apparatus,

comparing the entered code with the codes stored in the data base,

if the entered code is found in the data base, preparing a short message with the value of the sum of money to be loaded or reloaded in a short message service center, and temporarily storing the short message,

marking as used or canceling the value of the monetary sum and the code in the data base, and

loading or reloading the data medium card to be loaded or reloaded with the temporarily stored value of the monetary sum via the prepared short message the next time the data medium card is inserted in a communication apparatus and a connection is established with the communication network,

wherein the data medium card is a SIM card for a communication device associated with a communication network.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein after the entering of the service number, the communication apparatus is connected to a voice output system, and the further portions of the method are carried out voice-controlled.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising using the value card for telephoning, a calling amount being calculated from the length of the call to a called subscriber, and the calling amount being recorded in the data base or deducted from the value of the monetary sum upon termination of the call, wherein only the difference between the value of the monetary sum and the sum of all calling amounts is then used for loading or reloading the data medium card.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the communication apparatus for calling the service number is selected from the group consisting essentially of wireless communication devices working according to the GSM standard and wire connected telephone sets.

5. A method for loading or reloading a data medium card with a value of a sum of money, which data medium card is provided with an electronic chip including a storage device in which the value of the monetary sum is stored, comprising:

purchasing a prepayable value card for a certain amount of money,

exposing a concealed code field on the value card by the owner of the card, whereby a code becomes visible,

preparing a short message according to the GSM standard, entering the code in the communication apparatus used when prompted to enter a message text, and communicating the short message to a data base in which data base all codes assigned to value cards and the amount of money associated with each respective code are stored,

comparing the entered code with the codes stored in the data base,

if the entered code is found in the data base, preparing a short message with the value of the sum of money to be loaded or reloaded in a short message service center, and temporarily storing the short message,

marking as used or canceling the value of the monetary sum and the code in the data base, and

loading or reloading the data medium card to be loaded or reloaded with the temporarily stored value of the monetary sum via the prepared short message the next time the data medium card is inserted in a communication apparatus and a connection is established with the communication network,

wherein the data medium card is a SIM card for a communication device associated with a communication network.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein after using the short message, the communication apparatus is connected to a voice output system, and portions of the method are carried out voice-controlled.

7. The method according to claim 5, further comprising using the value card for telephoning, a calling amount being calculated from the length of the call to a called subscriber, the calling amount being recorded in the data base or deducted from the value of the monetary sum upon termination of the call, wherein only the difference between the value of the monetary sum and the sum of all calling amounts is then used for loading or reloading the data medium card.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein the communication apparatus used for preparing the short message is selected from the group consisting essentially of wireless communication devices working according to the GSM standard and wire connected telephone sets.