Method for remote service switching

Technical field

The present invention relates to a system and method selectively to services of a mobile communication device remote switch.

State of the art

Mobile devices, particularly mobile phones, are increasingly spread. However, there are places and conditions in which the use is a mobile device undesirable or even dangerous, for Example in concert venues or aircraft. Because some mobile subscriber forget (or do without it) off their mobile device, are already Known multiple systems to this equipment at protected locations forcibly completely off by a third party.

A complete elimination of the mobile device is neither in the mobile subscribers popular, yet necessary or allowed. In some countries for example, must at least off and incoming emergency calls and Sending Distress in protected rooms or can be received. Language - or data connections of guests brutally interrupting is certainly not a good canvassing. Also is a complete shutdown of the device often not even necessary; in a Aircraft, for example, are mainly the transmit and receive functions the transceiver potentially dangerous; Reasons to passengers about a Match with the mobile device to ban does not exist, however. At other Places are mainly the camera function more modern mobile phones problematic, but not the mobile part.

Therefore, systems and methods have been described already, with which the camera, or other "options" and machine parts connected remotely can be.

For this purpose, mostly a local, proprietary lock signal transmitted in the protected space. The auszuschaltenden mobile devices receive the signal and disable the affected mobile device part. However, such methods only work with specially adapted mobile devices, which have additional hardware and software to the Blocking signal to receive and interpret. Unless a large Number of mobile devices are adjusted accordingly, are those protective measures hardly effective and can be easily circumvented.

US20030133573 describes a solution in which mobile device parts be disabled in a room through a Bluetooth signal. Also this solution only works with devices that have a Bluetooth-part come and have enabled this part. A special Bluetooth profile must be installed in order to understand the signal and in addition Hindsight off the desired device part. In addition to Only devices are disabled by this method, which within itself the implications of the Bluetooth transmitter in the protected area are; location-independent closures are not possible.

W09825433 describes another method by which a MNOs a terminal depending on the location completely can switch off. Other termination criteria are not mentioned.

US5778304 describes a system for location-based restriction of mobile services; examples are the maximum Volume, the use of the mobile device for personal calls, data transmission, the image transfer, etc., mentioned. In addition, for this method of determined by the mobile network operator mobile subscriber location as a parameter for the decision to block a Device used. The method can therefore only by MNOs be used, or at least of a party who this usually confidential information has.

Disclosure of the Invention

In summary suffer the known systems and methods, to services of a mobile communication device to disable the following problems:<ul><li>Only complete devices are turned off, but not selectively certain services, and / or</li><li>Terminal hardware adjustments are needed to receive a special lock signal, or to the Location of the device to determine and / or</li><li>The remote locking can be turned off from the mobile subscriber be, and / or</li><li>Only mobile devices within a certain Space will be blocked, and / or</li><li>The method can only be used by the mobile network operator be, and / or</li><li>The location of the mobile subscriber is opposite Third not anonymous, and / or</li><li>Existing voice and data connections are on rude sort of interruption.</li></ul>

It is an object of the present invention, a novel process offer and system with which all or some of these problems be solved.

Another object is to provide a higher flexibility in determining Locked mobile devices offer.

These objectives are in particular by the following steps reached:<sl><li>Determining a set of enabling conditions in a remote device, (These enabling conditions subsequently flexibly from the network operator and / or adapted by a third party to)</li><li>Repeated tests of designated switching conditions</li><li>Automatic triggering a shift command when the enabling conditions are met,</li><li>Consignment of the shift command to the mobile device,</li><li>Receiving the switching command by the mobile device,</li><li>Turn on or off the service in the mobile device.</li></sl>

This has the particular advantage that services of the mobile device selectively turned on by a remote device, or can be turned off. This occurs when user-defined conditions are met. Since these enabling conditions any time (preferably via a computer program) are editable and upgradeable, can be very flexible conditions are defined in order to decide what mobile device remotely connected will.

This also has the advantage that the activation or deactivation of functions of the mobile device by switching on or off is carried out of services. Services are permanent programs or program components, which must be enabled and the operating system Applications of the mobile device to corresponding hardware or software resources can access. In modern operating systems, there are a large number of services installed, with which the behavior the mobile device can be finely adjusted. Certain services may include, for example, device drivers, so that a piece of hardware unattainable is, if the service is disabled. Other services Users can control applications or parts of the operating system, For example, the Internet or mobile network access.

The active or inactive state of a service is often associated with a simple flag is specified, the state with a small Software costs can be changed.

The invention also has the advantage that the conditions is specified with which, when a mobile device service remotely connected must be defined freely. The control is thus not only on the Mobile subscriber location dependent, but by any other parameters, the inside and / or outside of the infrastructure of the mobile network be determined. In a company, for example, decided be, the camera function of all mobile devices to a group of single employees or customers at the same time or off (independently of their location).

In a preferred embodiment, the one or auszuschaltende selected service from the remote device among several options and specified in the switching command. This has the advantage that the remote unit can determine precisely which parts of the mobile device is turned off or can be. Subject to various conditions can thus different device services by different sets of Mobile devices are turned off. Parents can, for example, your Children access to games or fee-based services only during predetermined periods allow.

In a preferred embodiment, the switching conditions are by a third party (and not from the mobile network operators) set. Thus, any third party to determine the conditions under which certain mobile services of foreign mobile restricted to be. Before a service is turned off, preferably from the MNOs, affected by a regulatory body and / or the Mobile subscriber checks whether the blocking of a particular is service permitted.

In a preferred embodiment, the switching conditions depending on parameters of the inside and outside Infrastructure of the mobile network are determined. In this way can be used complex switching conditions as to all to terminate mobile devices in a place completely, except those of employees, said game applications and the camera of certain employees is also turned off. Also commercial models for activation of existing services by a third party against a Fee be possible by.

In a preferred variant, at least certain switching commands anonymous to the administrator of the remote-controlled remote device. In this way, Mom certain services of a group mobile devices (which fulfill certain conditions) on or off, without the identity of the affected mobile subscribers to know. This privacy issues are resolved, which would then occur, if every third person all the required parameters of a large number of Mobile subscriber would experience.

Brief Description of Drawings

Figure 1 is a block diagram of the software architecture of a Mobile device.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the System of the invention.

Figure 3 is a block diagram of a second embodiment, of the system of the invention.

Figure 4 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of the system of the invention.

5 shows a screen of the form, which in Remote unit can be used to input switching conditions.

Figure 6 is a flow diagram of the method of an embodiment the invention.

definitions

, Is if in the description and in the claims Services is spoken, meant a program part of the program or applet, the permanent or temporary running and periodic background Queries processed by other programs. Most of the components and resources of a computer system (including mobile devices and Mobile radio telephones) can be controlled by a service of the operating system and user applications access to the appropriate Resources allowed. In Unix-based operating systems are some Services also called daemons. Some services are also device driver called, or use device drivers. In some simple Software architectures are some services as functions, modules or other parts of programs of the operating system or the applications available, which thus directly to the corresponding components access.

Other services exist as permanently available interfaces, to forward queries to other programs. WEB server have, for example, an HTTP service which continuously queries waits of WEB user and forwards.

When we talk about mobile, we believe mobile phones, PDAs, cameras, video and computer systems, identified by a Mobile subscribers can be supported and the interface via a to have a wireless communication system. Popular Mobile include GSM and UMTS mobile phones.

When we talk about mobile networks, we mean public Networks, especially cellular telephone mobile networks.

When we talk about a remote device, we mean a device, System or group of devices, devices, systems and / or Software agents that are located outside of the mobile device and communicate a telecommunications trunk network with this mobile device can.

Embodiments of the invention

Figure 1 is a block diagram of typical software architecture a mobile device 1. The schematically illustrated architecture For example, with some differences in Symbian ™, Windows CE ™ and pure JAVA ™ mobile devices.

The software includes an operating system 100 with a central Kernel 102 of, inter alia, for the management of files and is responsible memory. An optional upper protocol layer 101 of the Operating system 100 is responsible for managing the visual or graphical interface. A lower layer 103 includes device drivers and other special services, with which the operating system 102 and other Applications on different hardware components of 107 can access mobile device. These components 107 include, for example:<ul><li>The keyboard</li><li>Other input means, such as joystick, additional buttons, Rolling, etc.</li><li>One or more ads</li><li>A speaker and a microphone</li><li>A vibrating alert </li><li>At least one transceiver (transmitter part and receiver part) for access to one or more mobile networks</li><li>A smart card reader for the SIM card and / or for external smart card</li><li>A static- or video camera</li><li>A flash unit</li><li>A peripheral interface</li><li>An infrared interface</li><li>A Bluetooth interface</li><li>A wireless interface</li><li>Rington</li><li>alarm</li><li>Music or video playback</li><li>etc.</li></ul>

The software architecture includes system processes 104, other services 105 (for example, permanent programs, including JAVA programs) and user applications 106th

Figure 2 is a block diagram of a first Ausführu ngsform of System of the invention with a mobile device 1 (ME), and the components includes resources that are controlled by services. The mobile device 1 is registered in a cellular network 2 (for example a GSM or UMTS network). The mobile network comprises (or is linked to a) Plurality of base stations 20, a home location register (HLR, not shown), and a message handler (for example an SMS handler (SMSC)), a USSD handler and / or a TCP-IP server or SMS short messages, USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) and / or forward Internet packages. The components 20 and 21 may be konventional.

The inventive mobile network 2 also comprises a Remote device 22 (for example a server or a plurality of networked computer systems) with which switching conditions determined adapted and tested can be, and which automatically initiates a command and the mobile device 1 sends, if certain switching conditions are met. In This variant of this remote device by the operator of the cellular network 2 (Or a network with a roaming agreement) which makes the microscope Part of the infrastructure of the network. The server 22 comprises preferably a non-illustrated database of switching conditions by the network operator and / or more third parties 5 via a telecommunications network 4 are defined (for example, Internet), and a program, with which checked continuously or periodically whether certain or all participants of the cellular network 2 these enabling conditions fulfill. To this end, the device 22 receives continuously updated parameters from systems 23 within the infrastructure of the mobile network and / or from external systems 30. These parameters can from the remote device 22 tested and solve the remote switching of a service in a mobile device 1 from when the predetermined switching conditions fulfill.

The determined within the infrastructure of the mobile network Parameters include, for example:<ul><li>The determined by a location determination module Location of the mobile subscriber, with a satellite location determination module in the mobile device 1 and / or based on the signals received in the base stations determined, for example using a triangulation can be.</li><li>The time, day of the week and / or the date.</li><li>For each the mobile subscriber and / or for each base station available bandwidth for data transfer.</li><li>The identity of the home network operator.</li><li>The network load (for example, the number mobile subscriber in an area).</li><li>The presence of mobile subscribers in priority an area.</li><li>The condition (for example, on or off) of another Mobile device and / or a service in another Mobile device.</li><li>The identity of the mobile radio network in which a mobile subscriber currently logged in is (home network or visited Network).</li><li>The available balance on a prepaid account Mobile subscriber from the network operator and / or with a Third, the account with the IMSI and / or the may be associated MSISDN the SIM card.</li><li>The solvency of the mobile subscriber.</li><li>Features of the mobile device (brand, model, type, technical Features, operating system version, available memory, etc.) </li><li>Characteristics of the SIM card within the mobile device (type, available memory, technical features, etc.)</li><li>The profile of the mobile subscriber.</li><li>Receiving a remote control command from a other mobile device.</li><li>etc.</li></ul>

The determined outside the infrastructure of the mobile network Parameters include, for example:<ul><li>The time, day of the week and / or the date.</li><li>The presence of the mobile subscriber at a predetermined List.</li><li>The presence of particular mobile devices in the Near another particular mobile subscriber, wherein this in through a contactless interaction short range (for example, via Bluetooth) determined.</li><li>Parameters determined in remotely connected mobile device 1 are based and an additional program to the Remote device are received 22, including instructions the mobile subscriber or receiving signals from Bluetooth, IrdA, WLAN, etc. interface.</li><li>Conditions of decency and other habits depend (approximately photo in certain areas to disallow).</li><li>etc.</li></ul>

Preferably at least any two of these parameters any combination based on user-defined switching conditions, to determine within the remote device 22 whether certain services to be certain mobile device 1 is locked or released. In a preferred variant, three, or even more preferably, from combining these parameters for greater flexibility in the Finding the remote circuit conditions. Preferably both Parameters determined within the infrastructure of the mobile network are, as well as external parameters, such as parameters by a third party 5 and / or several different third parties will be determined or indicated, combined. It can preferably also the same parameters, specifically a mobile device concern (eg its location) or mobile device independent Parameters are combined. Parameters determined in the mobile device 1 itself be, can also with any other parameters of the Network 2 and / or external parameters are combined.

As soon as a switching condition is fulfilled, a switching command is 7 sent and via the mobile network and the message handler 21 to the Mobile device 1 is sent, in which a service on or off must become. The switching command typically contains a header with 70 the address of the mobile device, an on or off switch command 71 and the Indication 72 about or to be switched services. It can, for example, SMS (SMS, for example, the instructions following the method of EP689368 included), USSD, emails with executable content, JAVA applets, HTML or WML content or by the operating system of Mobile device 1 or the mobile subscriber identifying SIM card executable files are sent in the mobile device. 1

The specified in the instruction portion 72 service can also type, Model and technical features of the mobile device 1 to be dependent if these features known from the third party 5 and / or the mobile network are. Even the transmitted command from the mobile device dependent to be differences in the hardware and the operating system to account. It can, for example, JAVA applet on a Java-capable Mobile device and SMS commands unsure on mobile devices of which is whether they can interpret Java, are sent.

The command is performed by the single- or auszuschaltende Service, JAVA program or device driver software controlled mono- is turned off.

The mobile device 1 sends an acknowledgment to the remote unit 22, if the designated command is performed.

5 shows a screen of the input screen that the remote device 22 and / or in the terminal 5 of a third party may be used to enter switching conditions. This mask is for example as Web page generated in remote device 22, for example, based ASP, .NET, JAVA, JavaScript, PERL, etc. -Programmierungstechnik and with a Web browser shown in third party 5 and edited. An electronic Mask that does not rely on Internet-based or a fax or Paper is also conceivable. In addition to the required information via SMS, WAP, USSD or other bearers that have been sent from mobile devices can be prepared with a mobile device of the third party 5 will.

The input screen shown as an example in the figure 5 permits it to combine multiple parameters together a third party to determine a switching condition or subsequently adapt. The Third party may preferably always change existing conditions, delete, or prepare new switching conditions. Access to This entry mask is preferably with a password or a other authentication mechanism protected. This access is preferably charged by the operator of the cellular network; it is possible also that each triggered switching command or shift offset becomes.

The input mask of Figure 5 contains an a field in which Location can be specified, in this case, "Bern, Schwarztorstrasse 61 ". A to blocking site could graphically as variant a map with geographic coordinates relative to the location of a Mobile device, etc. are indicated. The site could also implicitly be. A list of several geographic areas to be blocked also conceivable. Preferably also abstract entities can be specified (for example, "Komische Oper Berlin", "all swimming pools" or "In public transport") in this case, the correspondence between the specified abstract unit and the locked area preferably performed in the remote device.

The field 501 contains a time period between 08:00 and 17:00, during which mobile services on or to be turned off. More complicated times, for example, the date, day, or are a function of periodically repeatable periods of time are also conceivable. The period of time can be specified with a start and an end (as in the illustrated example) or with a period (about are prohibited during which pictures the duration of the Spectacle). It even very short periods of time specified for certain applications be, including periods less than one minute, or even than one second, or Zeitperioden- or a duration of external are event-driven.

The field 502 contains a list of mobile devices that remotely connected can be. Mobile devices can, for example, with the phone number (MSISDN), with the unique name of the mobile subscriber, with a reference to a known group (for example, every mobile subscriber a mobile network operator), etc. are indicated. The list can either open - in this case, the third party services 5 each foreign mobile device to remote control - or be closed -said the third party only can remotely control certain mobile devices, such as mobile devices of mobile subscribers, which explicitly allowed such a remote control have or mobile devices or related affilierten Mobile subscribers.

The field 503 allows the third party additional conditions specify, for example as SQL or pseudo-SQL conditions.

With the cross-field 504 indicates the third party, whether an authorization the mobile subscriber in question is to be asked before a service of his mobile device off or is turned on.

With the cross-field 505 indicates the third party if the affected Mobile subscriber is notified when a service is on or off becomes.

The field 506 contains a list of multiple services, which in Illustrated example, need to be turned off when the other Conditions are met.

In the illustrated example is thus daily from 08:00 17:00 Camera, the video function and the WLAN interface of mobile devices all mobile subscribers that are specified in the field 502 and which at the specified address are turned on and off, the affected mobile subscribers are informed, and where their authorization is requested. This set of conditions, for example, be used to prohibit employees of a company during the to make working photos of the work site and WLAN with the to join the company.

Other conditions may be set to as non-employees prohibit to take pictures in a company.

3 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the remote unit 5, in which the switching conditions are checked to outside the infrastructure of the cellular network 2 is. The remote device 5, for example, directly from a third party, such as a Value-added service provider, operate. The switching conditions use parameters that are determined within the remote unit 5, external parameters of, for example via the Internet 4 more external devices can be obtained, as well as possibly parameters which are determined within the mobile radio network 2 and the MNOs are communicated.

If a predetermined set of switching conditions are met, sends the remote unit a command, such as a text message, a USSD, a TCP-IP command, etc., over the wireless network 2 to the affected mobile device then execute this command.

Since it is unlikely in practice that the mobile subscriber many may send confidential parameters to a third party, is this variant especially suitable to mobile devices by the third party remotely known mobile subscribers.

4 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the remote unit 5, in which the switching conditions are checked to even outside of the infrastructure of the cellular network 2 is. In However, this case receives this remote device anonymiserte internal parameters the cellular network 2, the inside at different points of the 23 Net 2 are determined and using a proxy server anonymization 8 are so anonymous that the operator of the remote device does not learn can which parameters correspond to which mobile subscriber. this has the advantage that a third party can send anonymous commands thus to about services of mobile devices that are about at a specific site are on or off, without revealing the identity of the affected To learn mobile subscriber. The anonymous commands in proxy server entanonymisiert by an alias replaced by the correct identity and forwarded to the affected mobile device first

Figure 6 is a flow chart of the inventive method. The Reference numeral 100 shows the beginning of the process. At step 101, a set of enabling conditions initially determined, for example, in the first access of third party 5 on the remote unit. The initial set of conditions may be empty by no condition is set initially. The third party then has the option 5, this set of conditions as often adapt at step 102 and supplement.

The compounds are then set during the step 103 examined by the remote device 22nd This test is continuously or repeated periodically as long as the requisite conditions are not satisfied (Lozenge 104).

If a condition for at least one service of a mobile device met, a corresponding shift command at step 105 is triggered and during step 106 over the cellular network 2 and the Message handler 21 is transmitted to the or the affected mobile device.

In a preferred variant, a confirmation of asked mobile subscriber (or can be requested), before the shift command is sent. The switching command is in this case only be executed when the mobile subscriber has approved this. In another variant, is or can be a simple message to the mobile device 1 sends be before or after a service on or off becomes. The message can also be generated by the mobile device; she can also specify that a service 105, 107 after a predetermined period switched on or off. The message and / or the request for A confirmation may also in multimodal mode reproduced during a voice call.

This switching command may during step 107 entanonymisiert by proxy. 8 The command is then during step 108 received from the mobile device 1 and carried out at step 109, the activation or deactivation of the service may be released after a period of time after the end of a connection or after the explicit carried authorization of the mobile operator concerned.