Method for the processing of added value information

The present invention relates to a method for disseminating value-added information based on the standardized code formats for paging services, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Various paging services are known (RDS, Eurosignal, Cityruf, Scall), which are mainly used for sending customer-specific messages. Every customer has his own address code, under which he can be called directly. These known methods are not suitable or are only suitable to a very limited extent for the reception of general, alphanumeric, added-value information in broadcast mode.

Known functions such as group calls or mail drop no longer meet the requirements of providers of value-added information, network operators and end customers.

The present invention is based on the object of proposing a method for disseminating value-added information which provides significantly expanded possibilities for the transmission and evaluation of value-added information, while maintaining compatibility with the previously known paging code formats.

This object is achieved by the characterizing features of claim 1.

So that the added value information can generally be received by the receivers (end devices), the provision and disclosure of a uniform, second address code, in addition to the individual first address code, is necessary on one or more frequencies of the paging service.

The added-value information can thus be evaluated on any receiver (terminal) suitable for the paging service. The functions for value-added information are divided into different sub-addresses of the uniform address code. The basic structure of the uniform address code can look like this:<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li>1. Subaddress for control functions: The control function primarily ensures the individual provision of the added value information for the recipient. In particular, it ensures the activation / deactivation of chargeable value-added information. Outside of the added value range, the control function can also be used for remote operation / remote programming of the receiver (end device) via the call frequencies. Known services, such as<img file="EP0797364A2_D0001.tif" />RIC over the air "can also be offered here. For example, in order to operate the receiver's terminal device remotely or to program it remotely, a unique identification via the first address code is normally necessary. According to the invention, the programming command which is sent via the subaddress for control functions can be used as unique identification of both the first individual address code and another unique identification of the recipient (e.g. Serial number of the terminal) included.</li><li>2nd Subaddress for receiving free value-added information: Via this subaddress, the end device receives the free value-added information that is broadcast by the operator of the paging network. Topics include general news in the field of sports, politics, business, weather, etc. To differentiate between the various topics, the actual message content is preceded by a topic header for each value-added information.</li><li>3rd Subaddress for receiving fee-based value-added information: Via this subaddress, the terminal receives the chargeable value-added information that is broadcast by the operator of the paging network. Topics include special messages that are mainly read by a certain group of customers, such as stock exchange news, etc. The topics are differentiated in the same way as the function for free value-added information.</li><li>4th Subaddress for receiving a topic overview (optional): This sub-address can be used to read and display a current overview of topics from the terminal, which is broadcast cyclically by the operator of the paging network using the broadcast process. The differentiation of topics is analogous to the function for free added value information with an additional parameter for differentiating between free and paid added value topics. With the help of this overview of topics, the customer can, for example, select free added-value topics from the range of topics for display or have paid topics activated via the network operator.</li></ul>

At least the paid value-added information must be released and blocked again by the operator. The subaddress for control functions therefore preferably contains a release function that allows a limited or unlimited release of value-added information. However, the release can also take place in any other known technical way, for example by directly entering a corresponding command in the receiver via keypads, inductive, capacitive, optical, acoustic etc. The release function is based on a release and blocking date, which can be set for marked added value information.

The cyclical transmission of time information is provided as a further functionality. In addition to the use by the customers, the transmission and evaluation of the time information on the end devices primarily serves to ensure the function for releasing or blocking value-added information.

The functions for receiving free and chargeable value-added information basically differ only in the different addressing on two separate sub-addresses of the uniform address code. The structure of the message is the same for both functions and consists, for example, of a topic header and a topic content.

The topic header ensures that the following topic content is assigned to a specific topic. This is particularly necessary for value-added information, which is subject to a charge, since the customer selects only a partial service from the offer and only this should be made available to him.

The structure of the topic overview, which can be selected under subaddress 4 in the example, is similar to the functions for free and fee-based added value information. A topic header and a parameter are provided to differentiate between free / paid value-added topics, to which a value-added topic can be assigned. The current overview of topics is cyclical, e.g. sent daily by the network operator and can optionally be displayed as an additional service on the receiver. The customer is therefore always provided with the current offer for free and fee-based added value information.