Method and Apparatus for message distribution

0001The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for local and / or regional dissemination of news.

0002Methods and devices of this type are among others in the advertising industry applicable and as an information medium.

0003Electronic Mail and messages easily on black Boards or forums on the Internet many people will be made available. However, this kind of news distribution has for specific applications two major drawbacks: On the one hand it is due to the almost worldwide Access to news on the Internet and the daraus.resultierenden, less specific information dissemination for a news channel extremely difficult, a message to a specific group of people targeted communicate or disseminate locally and / or regionally focused. On the other hand, it is for a potential message recipient due the enormous amount of information of the Internet can be difficult, a desired to find and retrieve message.

0004These effects lead especially in the dissemination of news local and / or regional reference and an exact detail accrued Audience to the fact that the Internet of such messages is a relatively inefficient News media is. This type of communication is therefore too unspecific for many purposes.

0005A targeted news distribution is by means of short messages (Short Message Service, SMS) on the various mobile networks possible. however , this type of information transmission has the drawback that a Message can be sent only to (individual) persons whose mobile number is known, so that this type of communication is often to is specific.

0006Since the SMS via mobile communication, as well as in the use an internet forum, a news channel any information about the has current location of the message recipient, can so that messages with a regional / local reference not targeted to just those persons are sent, the physically determined in a Region or are in a particular place.

0007Accordingly, the present invention is the object of the Proliferation of electronic messages to any in a locally to allow and / or regionally limited area work area.

0008This task is accomplished by a method and a telecommunication terminal with the features of the independent claims dissolved. In dependent claims, advantageous refinements and improvements of the invention specified.

0009According to the invention the distribution of a message by building a temporary, ad hoc wireless network in the vicinity of at least two telecommunications terminals realized, so that the terminals about their short-range communication devices send messages to other ship located in its vicinity telecommunications terminals and receive these messages and may continue to send.

0010Given a message to undisclosed initially on a first transmission unit created and on the short-range communication device of the first Transmission equipment in its vicinity of wireless for the first time sent. Another, for receiving messages furnished telecommunication terminal, located in the vicinity of the first transmission device receives then sent by the transmitter email wirelessly using a Short-range communication means adapted to communicate with the corresponding short-range communication means of the transmission device to communicate. If the receiving device is further configured as to operate another transmitter, the received message will be automatically further sent to other potential receivers which in itself Close range of this further transmission device are.

0011As inventive telecommunications terminal equipment can particularly advantageously mobile phones, but also with corresponding short-range communication facilities Equipped, localized landline phones, Personal computers, notebooks and laptops, as well as pagers and personal digital Assistants (PDA) are used. It is also possible, stationary Information and service terminals, for example in department stores, public Buildings and places such as airports, train stations, etc. with a corresponding equip telecommunications terminal.

0012In this way, a message is successively for telecommunications terminal equipment dispatched within their vicinities, and the message spreads in several steps over all telecommunications terminal equipment, the overlapping via a chain of at any time Vicinities are connected to the first transmission device. This has the Advantage that a message be sent or dispatched only to those recipients is that in local proximity to the corresponding transmitter . are Messages with a local reference (eg advertising message to a Retailer or the alert message of a public authority) can thereby be sent specifically to those or at the location in question located in its vicinity and thus immediately react to the news (eg by looking up the retailer or an official Note). Knowing the mobile phone number or another addressing the message recipient is not required for this. Nor is for the recipient to know the transmitter required.

0013A transmitting device need not necessarily be set as a receiving device be. So it is possible, for example a pure transmission terminal for information to operate by users, said telecommunications terminals Visitors partially the received message send (eg Mobile phone), and partly this message only receive without rebroadcast (Eg laptop, its transmission functionality is disabled). Equally it is conceivable to use the invention for efficient office communication, wherein a central, according to the invention equipped landline phone a message initially sent and it to phones in the near field of the Message successively further send them to other phones, the message you optionally show immediately on a display.

0014The wireless sending mail message at close range is messed up appropriate and mutually compatible range communication devices the sending device and the receiving device secured. To is particularly the so-called. "Near Field Communication" (NFC), the transmits data by means of magnetic fields. When transmitting / or receivers are active or passive RFID transponder conceivable the other with a can communicate NFC device. Alternatively, other wireless data transmission technologies used, such as infrared ports (IRED), Bluetooth or WLAN technology (Wireless Local Area Network).

0015Spreading invention of news happening nonspecific, without the transmission device is a particular recipient known or Reception by a particular recipient is desired. Thus, in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first or a further (Mobile) transmitter its vicinity by means of short-range communication device monitor - for example, through the regular Sending request signals ( "inquiry messages") - to other (mobile) to detect telecommunications terminals that set up as a reception apparatus and which are located in the near field of the transmitting device.

0016The transmitter established then by setting up a connection (synchronization) to each of the detected receiver devices a short-range wireless network (A so-called. "Pico-Net"), for example, as a master / slave configuration. Subsequently, the message from the transmitting device (master) to all receivers (slaves) sent in a deterministic order. Under certain circumstances, several of these short-range networks can join a larger network if possible receiving devices is to build up simultaneously as transmitters own short-range networks, by turn, the telecommunications terminal equipment in their vicinities synchronize and integrate as slaves. In this way, a formed highly dynamic ad hoc network whose nodes each as slaves receive messages and can continue to ship as master (so-called. "Scatternet"). In a similar fashion, although less rapid, can ad hoc networks from stationary telecommunications terminal equipment, for example build up the landline phones an office.

0017The to be sent and received messages eg in its mobile known SMS messages or MMS (Multi-Media SMS), pictures or animated image sequences contain. In principle, any data format uses such also email formats (possibly with attachments) Video and image sequence formats (eg JPG, TIF, MPG, etc.), but also audio formats such as MP3 and WAV.

0018For providing a message on the first transmission device, it is advantageous when the telecommunication terminal a corresponding provision means includes. This can in principle be very different be realized, for example, as a keyboard or text editor for text messages or as Draw pad or graphic editor for graphical messages. Furthermore An access to the Internet or proprietary databases for Logos and pictograms over cellular (GSM, UMTS), wireless or others to appropriate technology for mobile prefabricated text, Graphics or audio messages to deliver messages to a Telecommunication terminal to be set up.

0019In this context it is advantageous that a message to the recipient immediately after their reception on a display device of Receiving device, such as optically via a display or a screen, or is brought to the attention acoustically via a loudspeaker.

0020In a first embodiment of the invention, for each message in its providing a message-individual identifier of an identifier device the first transmission unit generated by the message is clearly marked and the other the news and in their Dissemination by further dispatching of other telecommunications terminals maintains unchanged.

0021The advantage of using a unique identifier is that messages already on their identifiers are automatically compared, without the Messages themselves must be read. The identifier can compare used to prevent multiple receiving the same messages will. For this purpose the receiving apparatus comprises a memory, e.g. a special identifier memory in which the identifiers of each incoming Message are stored. Dor they remain, even if the associated Messages should be deleted. If the receiving device receives a new message, the identifier of the new message is first of a testing device of the receiver with all saved pattern identifiers in the tag memory. If the is determined verification that the identifier of the newly received Message is already present in the identifier memory, the new message discarded because they received clearly already at an earlier date has been. If the check fails, the message is the user the receiving device is still unknown and is accepted. simultaneously the identifier is stored in the tag memory to re receiving also to prevent this message accepted

0022In an advantageous implementation of this embodiment, the Message and its identifier is not shipped together, but it is initially shipped only the identifier, while the associated message forwarded only to an explicit request of the receiving device becomes. This process is coordinated by a control device of the transmission device.

0023The receiving device receives in this case, first the identifier and checked against the identifiers already stored in the identification memory if a message with this same identifier at an earlier Time has been received. If this is not the case, the receiving device responds to receipt of the identifier with an acceptance signal to the sending device in question. shipped Upon receiving the acceptance signal the transmitting device's message, as is now ensures finally that the Receiver this message is first received. With a positive Checking the received identifier (ie the identifier is already in Identification memory before), the receiving device receiving the message on the other hand either actively reject by a refusal signal or alternatively and practicable shall refrain from any further reaction entirely because the transmitter only when receiving an acceptance signal, the message shipped.

0024In principle, it is in both variants, the common and the sequential Sending identifier and message, advantageous if the review the identifier for the user is transparent, so that it only shall be informed when a new message arrives in fact.

0025The identifier may automatically an identification device of the first be sending device generates, the present advantageous as a program in a program memory of the transmission device resides and from a processor is carried out if necessary. The thus generated unique identifier For example, a combination of the unique device number the first transmission unit and a serial number are combined. It is also possible a hash of the message to be sent as create their individual identification. Hash values ​​encode the message content clearly, but are not decipherable and need this Also not to be, since they are used only for comparison purposes. Of the further advantage of using a hash value as an identifier is that a receiving device, the identifier by re-hash value forming can check email and comparison and thus any Manipulations of the message or the identifier can be detected.

0026When telecommunications terminals, both as transmitter as well as are set receiver, it is advantageous for the realization of the two necessary for the identification of treatment functionalities identifier generating and the identification verification combined recognizer provide that the identification device described above (The first transmission device) and the checking means (of each Receiving device) integrated.

0027In a second embodiment of the invention, the receiving is of Messages to the recipient secured by the news before initial shipping or re-transmitting by the first or any further transmitting device each with a personal signature key is signed. This allows the receiver the identity of the sender Check and possibly all former sender of the message if mitversandt the signatures of former broadcaster with the re-transmitting will. This safety feature allows the receiver the unique Returning a received message to its author and allows by a responsible and trustworthy communication.

0028In order to sign a (further) message to be sent, the first comprising or another transmitter a signature device and a person-specific, private signature key, with the signing by Encrypting the message is performed. To the private signature key has only the shipping person access, is So to a secret key. It is advantageous in the private store keys in a secure memory on the transmitter, the additional is protected by a password and thus for unauthorized Persons or processes is not accessible.

0029When signing the message, the message is (regardless of their Format or data type) with an appropriate asymmetric signature algorithm (Eg RSA / PGP) using the private key encrypted. The generated signature is attached to the message and sent along with it. For verification of the signature by the receiving device requires a recipient of the message a with the private Key in the sender unit corresponding, but incapable of being reproduced by him various public signature key. This is the Signature of the message is decrypted, so that in exact agreement the decrypted signature and the original plaintext message, the identity the transmitter can be verified. The thus correct authentication also ensures that the plaintext message not manipulated without permission has been. In the opposite case, the transmitter is considered incorrect authenticated, because the keys obviously do not correspond. The message is then discarded by the receiver for security or their acceptance is denied because the content as untrusted is classified. The sender can therefore by using the described 'Identify signature mechanism the recipient clearly and thus demonstrate his trustworthiness of the message.

0030For verification received, signed messages in this embodiment comprises one for receiving decorated telecommunication terminal a verification device that is beneficial as one of a Processor of the terminal executable program is implemented. is Here it makes sense, the relevant functions of a transmitter and a integrating the receiving device in a signature means that both able to sign messages as can also verify signatures.

0031The need for signing public signature key is advantageously public key servers on the Internet or any other, accessible at least for the invention receivers location or proprietary database stored. In the here described asymmetric Encryption possible, because even with knowledge of a public Key, a signature and the corresponding plaintext message not to the private key can be deduced. Alternatively, also symmetrical signature schemes (such as DES, IDEA) in providing use the appropriate infrastructure.

0032An additional security feature is obtained when only the actual Message is also integrated its identifier in the signature. So can to ensure that next to the message and the identifier prior to or has not been tampered during communication.

0033In an advantageous implementation of this embodiment includes a used as a transmitter telecommunication terminal as a signature device and secure storage for private keys a SIM card. The signature calculation can then disposed of the on the SIM card Processor are performed.

0034In a third embodiment of the present invention, before the initial shipping or re-transmitting a message, Termination condition attached to the message to an unlimited and to prevent uncontrolled reproduction of the message. to generate a termination condition and for their review and where necessary update includes an inventive telecommunication terminal a termination condition means that a particularly advantageous one Program may be made, which by a processor of the telecommunication terminal is performed.

0035The termination condition of the invention may in the simplest case of a Date made, according to the message no longer ship to leaves. Alternatively, a maximum reproduction number n, or a maximum copy number <i>k</i> be used as a termination condition, so that a Message, starting from its first shipment by the first Transmitting appliance with a sequential chain of n consecutive Transmission equipment could be sent (the message across so <i>n</i>Generations reproduced) or from each of the transmitters only at <i>k</i> parallel Receivers can be sent. When using both criteria is the maximum number of recipients (for example, to control costs) than the sum of <i>k</i>^<i>i</i> For <i>i</i>= 1 to <i>n</i> precisely determined.

0036After receiving a message, or before re-transmitting a received message is the termination condition of the termination condition means the receive and transmit device checks to determine whether a renewed re-transmitting the message is still possible. If the termination condition is satisfied (eg by exceeding a Expiration date), the further transmission of the message is blocked. Otherwise is the termination condition before re-transmitting the message updated where necessary, by a counter is decremented, eg the maximum reproduction number n or the maximum number of copies <i>k</i>,

0037Of course, a termination condition is not necessarily the first time Sending a message to set up, but may at any time be furnished by one of the other transmitters. Further can abort by manually delete the message or block the forwarding done. Also manually initiating the forwarding the messages of individual, selected or all existing messages is conceivable.

0038Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following Description of various inventive embodiments and alternative embodiments, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Therein:<dl tsize="7"><dt>figure 1</dt><dd>An embodiment of a method for short-range wireless transmission of a message from a transmitting device to a receiving device and</dd><dt>figure 2</dt><dd>the gradual development of an ad hoc network and communication therein.</dd></dl>

0039Figure 1 illustrates the wireless transmission of a message from one as Transmitter SG furnished telecommunication terminal TE as a Receiver EG furnished telecommunication terminal TE, the located in the vicinity of the transmitting device SE. To transfer News by telecommunications terminal equipment TE with different sizes Vicinities it is of course necessary that both devices simultaneously are the smaller of the two vicinities. Since in the present For both the transmitter SG and the receiver EG can send and receive messages, include both telecommunications terminals TE the same components in principle.

0040The control of all functions of a telecommunications terminal TE is performed by the control means ST. The controller ST each coordinated a signature device SE, a device identifier KE and a termination condition means ABE. All these operational Components ST, SE, KE, ABE the telecommunication terminal TE may be implemented as software programs, from a processor (Not shown) of the telecommunications terminal TE are performed.

0041Depending either on the function of the telecommunication terminal TE as transmitter SG or receiver EG lead the operational Components ST, SE, KE, ABE different operations, hereinafter to be discribed. To display to be sent or received messages are the transmitter SG and the receiver EC further optical display devices AE in the form of displays, Monitors or screens available.

0042Another important component of the invention include telecommunications terminals TE each a short range communication device NFC. For this is particularly advantageous NFC technology (Near Field Communication) is used, the data by means of magnetic fields in the frequency band 13.56 MHz at a radius of typically 20 cm transfers. The magnetic field strength of an NFC device's NFC specification ECMA-340 (NFCIP-1) and are at least 1.5 A / m, and at most 7.5 A / m at a transmission frequency of 13.56 MHz. to short-range wireless communications are suitable alternative methods the data transfer means communicating infrared interfaces (IRED), Bluetooth or WLAN technology (Wireless Local Area Network) or any other technology that the short-range communication suitable is.

0043The sending of the message N by the transmitter SG takes place in three steps t = 1 to t = 3rd In the first step (t = 1) is an individual and unique identifier ID "id9372-185x" Message N via the short-range communication devices NFC from the transmitting device to the receiving device SG EC dispatched. If the transmitter SG's message in a N previous transmission session from another telecommunication terminal TE has received, at that time was also the identifier ID of this Message N received and is now capable of re-transmitting the message N reused. The identifiers of all received messages be by the identification device KE in a specially furnished to Identification memory KS stored. When re-transmitting the Message N is called the identification ID from the identification memory KS and the short range communication device to the receiving device NFC EC dispatched. However, if the message N to the transmitter SG by means of corresponding input means (not shown) generates the first time was and the transmitter SG therefore sends the message N first time, is the custom, unique identifier ID for this message from the N Recognizing means KE generated. Such an identifier ID, for example, from the device number of the transmitting device SG combined with an ongoing Number or a hash of the message N exist.

0044The receiver EG, the short-range communication device via its NFC receives the identifier ID, it passes through the control device ST to its identification device KE on. The identification device KE then compares the identifier ID with all identifiers in their own identification memory KS present. The presence of the identifier in the ID Identification memory KS signaled that the transmitter SG to be sent Message north of the receiver EG at an earlier Time either of this or another transmitter SG was received. In this case no further reaction of the receiving device is EC to receipt of the identifier ID and the communication between the transmitter SG and the receiver EG is now complete.

0045If the identification ID but not in the tag memory of the receiving device KS EC is present, it is proved that to that ID ID corresponding message N from the receiver EG yet has not been received. In this case, the receiving device sends the EC second step (t = 2) of the message transmission in response to receiving the identifier ID of its short-range wireless communication device NFC an acceptance signal OK to the sending device SG.

0046Once the control device ST of the sending unit SG receiving the acceptance signal OK registered, the last step (t = 3) the message transmission initiated. Besides the actual message N is in this Step addition a signature SIG of the message N to the receiver unit EC received. With the signature SIG can the transmitter SG or Sender clearly against the receiver EG or the receiver authenticate or the receiver EG can about the signature SIG Message N to ensure that the message N actually referred to by the trusted transmitter SG has been sent.

0047It generates the signature SIG of the signature device SE of the transmission unit SG. For this, the message N by a special encryption algorithm (Z. B. RSA / PGP) by means of a private signature key encrypted, the stored in a secure memory of the SIM transmitter device SG becomes.

0048Furthermore, in step t = 3 a termination condition AB together with Message N shipped here an expiration date "21.09.2009". If the Transmitter SG message N in turn at an earlier stage of has received another transmission device, the termination condition AB also be further customized with the re-transmitting the message N. If the termination condition AB is eventually met by the expiration date here is exceeded, the message N from a potential Transmitter SG is no longer dispatched.

0049If it is the termination condition AB, contrary to the illustration in Figure 1, not to an absolute expiration date but a decrement counter is, this counter must before re-transmitting the termination condition AB by a termination condition means ABE in the sender unit SG be updated. For example, a termination condition AB, which represents the maximum reproduction number of the message N, before the re-transmitting the message N decremented. If such a counter eventually falls through decrement to zero, is the Message N no longer be sent because the maximum reproduction number is reached.

0050The receiver EG thus receives in step t = 3 message transmission the message N, the signature SIG and aborting conditions AB via the short range wireless communication device NFC from the transmitter SG. There, is controlled by the control device ST of the receiver EG, initially the signature SIG of Message N verified by the signature device SE. In the present Example Figure 1 is in the signature device SE to a Combined device for generating signatures SIG and to their Verification. According to the invention it is also possible that a telecommunications terminal TE a signature device for signing messages N and a verification means for verifying signatures SIG has.

0051In addition to the above-described method which a message N in three steps t = 1 to 3 sent, also an alternative is conceivable, the omitting the steps t = 1 and t = 2 a sending mail message N provides without prior checking and therefore only the step t = 3 includes.

0052In the receiver EG shown in Figure 1, the signature SIG is verified by the signature device SE. For this purpose, the signature SIG decrypted with a public signature key of the receiving device EC of a special signature key servers on the Internet or requested an other the receiver EG accessible database becomes. This public signature key corresponding to the private Signature key of the transmitting device SG, in the secure memory SIM in the sender unit SG is stored. The decryption of the message N reproduced with the corresponding public signature key in plaintext Message N. By comparing the received Message N and the decrypted signature SIG, the receiving device EC to verify the identity of the transmitting device SG. This ensures that only messages N from trusted and identifiable transmitters received.

0053The identifier ID of the message N is the receiver EG either after the step t = 1 or after the step t = 3 in the identification memory KS stored to re receiving the messages N in Future through a code comparison by the identification device KE to prevent. Instead of separately sending the identifier ID in advance, they can also be sent simultaneously with the message N, the message N is discarded from the terminal EG, if the identifier ID to the tag memory KS is present. The steps t = 1 and t = 2 are then omitted.

0054Figure 2 illustrates an ad hoc network for the dissemination of a message N, consisting of ten telecommunication terminals TE1 to TE10. The News distribution is initiated by the telecommunication terminal TE1, which provides the message N and having a termination condition Feathers. The termination condition n = 4 represents the maximum number the reproductive cycles of the message so that the message N in the present example can be reproduced only for four generations can. located in the vicinity NB1 of telecommunication terminal TE1 Two further telecommunications terminals TE2, TE3, respectively are set up to receive messages N. These two telecommunications terminals TE2, TE3 be of the short-range communication device NFC of telecommunication terminal TE1 detected, and the message N is then to each of the two telecommunications terminals TE2, TE3 sent. The two receivers TE2, TE3 Update after the receipt of the message N respectively the termination condition, by reducing the remaining reproduction number to n =. 3

0055In the second generation the telecommunications terminals act TE2 and TE3 now as transmitting devices and detect in their respective Vicinities NB2 and NB3 two furnished to receive messages N more telecommunications terminals TE4 and TE5. At both will continue sending the message N. TE4 and TE5 update each time: the termination condition at n =. 2 The telecommunications terminal equipment TE4, TE5 are located in the vicinities of NB4, NB5 each other. In the illustrated example of Figure 2, the telecommunication terminal TE5 detected by the telecommunication terminal TE4 and a transmitter / receiver relationship (or master / slave relationship) established.

0056According to the three-stage transfer process shown in Figure 1 starts the communication with the sending of the message identifier the message N from the telecommunication terminal TE4 to the Telecommunication terminal TE5. Since the telecommunications terminal TE5 the message N at an earlier time by the telecommunication terminal TE has received 3, is the identifier of the message N already present in the tag memory. For this reason denied the telecommunication terminal TE5 receipt of the message N from the telecommunication terminal TE4 by no acceptance signal sends back. A message transmission from the telecommunications terminal TE4 to the telecommunication terminal TE5 is thus not materialize.

0057In the vicinity of NB4 telecommunications terminal TE4 is located However, the telecommunication terminal TE6 that the message N finally receives from the telecommunication terminal TE4 and Termination condition of n = 1 updated.

0058Nearby the vicinity NB6 of telecommunication terminal TE 6 is now three other telecommunications terminals TE7, TE8, TE9. In addition to the termination condition of the reproduction number (currently n = 1) exists in which telecommunication terminal TE 6 with the maximum number of copies (K = 2) to be observed another for re-forwarding of messages Stop conditions. The maximum number of copies k = 2 indicates that the message N from the telecommunication terminal TE6 only two receivers could be shipped. Since the telecommunications terminal TE6 the message N to telecommunications terminals in its vicinity NB6 forwarded them in order of detection, is the Message N sent to the telecommunications terminal equipment and TE7 TE8, while a re-transmitting to the telecommunications terminal TE9 not because of the then reached maximum copy number of k = 2 more is possible.

0059The telecommunication terminal TE8 updated after the reception of the Message N for its part, its termination condition of the reproduction number to n = 0, so that the telecommunication terminal TE8 the message N is unable to continue ship, even if for receiving messages N furnished telecommunication terminal TE10 in the vicinity NB8 of telecommunications terminal TE8 is.