Age verification by a mobile communication network

Technical field

The invention relates to a method for age verification by a mobile radio network for age-related services comprising the steps of:<sl><li>(A) detecting the identification and age of a mobile subscriber in a storage unit of a mobile network operator in issuing a SIM card for the mobile station, which to participate in the mobile entitled,</li><li>(B) determining the identification of the mobile subscriber when logging in a mobile radio network by means of mobile radio terminal, wherein the identification data are stored on a SIM card and to a control unit of Cellular network are received.</li></sl>

State of the art

Some services, such as access to erotic or violent Offered are age-dependent. Typically, a customer who has such offers perceive wants his identity to the providers of such age-related services divulge example by presenting their identity card. The provider can then based Check the documents submitted whether the required age is present. alternative a customer can go to the post office, which performs identity verification and this the service provider shall make. Many potential customers but are afraid of their identity to announce. They prefer to remain anonymous and currently take these Deals therefore either not claim or only those providers who make any age verification.

It is known that during the registration of access for mobile terminal already all identification data of a mobile subscriber are recorded. The data be checked regularly when logging into a GSM network.

Disclosure of the Invention

The object of the invention is therefore to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a method which allows in a simple manner the age of a Person determine as anonymous.

According to the invention the object is achieved in that in a method of Age verification by a mobile communication network for age-related services also made the type mentioned subsequent process steps will:<sl><li>(C) generating a digital key for the age-related Services which the for age-related services legitimate mobile subscriber is received,</li><li>(D) verify the identity and authorization using the digital Key and the identification data of the in the memory unit are mobile operator stored at each log-in a Age-related service by the control unit.</li></sl>

The principle of the method is that now once at used the application detected the mobile data of a mobile subscriber be to carry out an age verification for others can. to abuse will prevent the digital key is generated, so as to ensure that only the Authorized has access to the age-related services.

A user can not usually remember long numbers columns, if he does not has an association with a phrase, image, date in mind. To the Remember passwords proves easier than advantageous embodiment of the The inventive method for age verification by a mobile network, therefore, when the digital key is generated with more than 5 digits. This number of digits provides a sufficient level of safety and can be utilized by a Mobile subscribers are relatively easily noticed.

A preferred embodiment of the inventive method is that a existing PIN (Personal Identification Number), which one to operate Mobile station with a SIM card is required, all or part of the digital key is integrated for age-related services. Through this Measure it is a mobile subscriber makes it easier to its digital Key for age verification easier to remember. The existing PIN is a already known mobile subscribers, so that the association to other similar code is facilitated.

A further advantageous embodiment of the method lies in the fact that foreign mobile network services through a connection with the Control unit of the mobile network can perform an age verification. As a result, the age verification through third, foreign mobile network Services are availed. A connection via the Mobile network for a service provider for age verification is not necessarily required. A landline connection to the control unit is sufficient.

In an advantageous embodiment of the inventive method is the Mobile subscribers of digital keys for age-related services as Short message SMS (Short Message Service) sent to his mobile terminal. In this way, a user is in a very simple and direct way its digital Key. SMS is a common data transmission method in mobile networks, so it can be used easily for the novel process.

A preferred embodiment of the inventive method also results in that the mobile subscriber for obtaining the digital key for the age-related services a Super PIN and / or code, as For example, the identity card number, for administrative rights to the Mobile station needs to identify. This is covered for that actually the beneficiary will receive the digital key.

To determine whether a mobile subscriber with a valid digital key may visit a specific location eg, there is a location determination of Mobile station via the radio network cells and / or the satellite-based Navigation system (GPS). For example, a mobile subscriber who over a valid digital key features and its mobile terminal the correct Coordinate data sends get to a place that only with a digital key is accessible. An unauthorized person, that she's too young, with invalid or no digital keys is not approved for such places.

A further advantageous embodiment of the method for Age verification is to provide filter media which digital in modified Allow keys only valid digital key. This measure serves at amended digital keys such filter out, for example, by Manipulation have changed. In this way, unauthorized Mobile subscribers are denied with invalid digital keys of access.

In a preferred embodiment of the inventive method are already in the detection of the identification and age of a mobile subscriber more set passwords, from which a password for the age-related is selected services. This allows a mobile subscriber to previously Passwords come up that are well noticeable in his view, from which in turn a digital key is generated.

Furthermore, the generation of the digital key for the age-related Services advantageously a random number are used. In this case, a weighting of certain digits of the digital key done.

Further advantages arise from the subject matter of the claims, and the Drawing with the associated description.

Brief Description of Drawing

<dl tsize="6" compact="compact"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a Inventive method.</dd></dl>

Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the invention Method for age verification 10. A mobile subscriber 12 must be to Participation in the mobile a mobile network 14 first with an operator Sign in. The mobile network 14 is particularly by the transmission tower 13 symbolized. The registration process is referred to by 16. Here, for example, their passports 15 in addition to the recording of personal data, the Age Verification 10 made, 15 arrows. The recorded so Identification data 18 are transmitted to a management unit 20 of the mobile network 14 transmitted, arrows 21. Arrows 23 symbolize the exchange of data between individual components of the cellular network 14th

The mobile operator is the mobile subscriber 12 when registering a 16 custom SIM card 22 (Subscriber Identification Module) from. Personal Identification data stored on the SIM card 22nd The recorded previously Identification data 18 are the SIM card 22 in the management unit 20 assigned and stored in a database 24th The SIM card 22 is of the Mobile subscriber 12 is inserted into a mobile terminal 26 and a to SIM card associated PIN (Personal Identification Number) enabled. Of the Mobile subscriber 12 is replaced by the operator in addition to the PIN a Super PIN, to other rights resulting in certain applications of the mobile 26th After activating the mobile radio terminal 26 by means of the SIM card 22, the Mobile subscriber 12 over the cellular network 14 with other participants communicate.

There are age-related services 28a, 28b, 28c provided in which a Mobile subscriber 12 has to prove his age. the three Examples are those age-related services 28a, 28b, 28c shown. The services 28a, 28b, 28c can be part of the mobile network 14, as well as mobile-foreign his services. The mobile subscriber 12 can be the mobile operators for such age-related services 28a, 28b, 28c, for example in the Application 16 can, register for the mobile. The corresponding data 18 are to also next to other personal information in the database 24 stored.

If necessary, ie when a mobile subscriber age-related services 28a, 28b, 28c wishes to avail, generates a key generator 30 a digital key 32. The key generator 30 is part of the mobile network 14 and includes a random number generator 34, created with the help of the digital key 32 becomes. The digital key 32 is transmitted to the mobile subscriber 12, arrows 36th The transmission 36 can via the mobile network 14, for example as an SMS or MMS done. The mobile subscriber 12 then requires special rights for the Receipt of digital key 32 as an SMS to itself as entitled to access expel. This can, for example, on the usually not for minors accessible Super PIN or the passport number of Mobilfunkteilnemers 12 done. The mobile network operator recognizes from the Super PIN, by simple Compared with the stored data in the database 24 18, whether it be to the adult mobile subscriber 12 is who has logged access.

The 30 generated by the key generator digital key 32 is in present embodiment, a maximum of five characters. This allows the Mobile subscriber 12 having to remember relatively little sign yet sufficient security against unauthorized access by simply trying to guarantee. In order to facilitate the mobile subscriber even further, are used strings that contain a known for his PIN. The idea is to Generating the digital key 32, using the random 34. Here a higher certain characters can be weighted so that some characters Occurrence probability is generated for the other characters. The weighting can also be set so that they occur only on certain points of the string. This can be achieved for example, that only pronounceable strings to be generated.

The mobile subscriber 12, which is now an age-related service 28a, 28b, 28c in want to avail, his age, with the help of his mobile radio terminal 26 prove. For this he gives his digital key 32 for example the keyboard 33 his mobile terminal 26 a, that of a control unit 36 ​​of the mobile network is checked. The control unit 36 ​​accesses to the data 18 of the database 24 back. When the digital key is 32 recognized as valid, is the provider of the reported age-dependent service, arrows 38a, 38b, 38c, that the Mobile subscriber has the appropriate age, without that Mobile subscriber 12 its identity to the service providers 28a, 28b, 28c has to reveal. The service 28a, 28b, 28c can optionally also even when Request Möbilfunkbetreiber whether a digital key 32 is valid, so a sufficient age authorization exists. The service 28a, 28b, 28c are to with the management unit 20 of the mobile network connected. In this case, the query the digital key 32 is encrypted, so that the service provider 28a 28b, 28c of the actual digital key 32 is not known. The service provider 28, 28b, 28c only receives the result 18a, 18b, 18c of the request that the Mobile subscriber 12 has the appropriate age. In this manner, a anonymous age verification by a mobile operator occur. Of the Mobile subscriber has to his identity the service 28a, 28b, 28c against enter unknown.