Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02313940 2000-07-14
Method for the delivery of a commodity or for the
performance of a service using a mobile-radio terminal;
mobile-radio terminal for carrying out the method and
device for the delivery of a commodity or for the
performance of a service
Description
The present invention relates to a method for the delivery
of a commodity or for the performance of a service using a
mobile-radio terminal. The invention relates also to a
mobile-radio terminal for use as means for the delivery of
a commodity or for the performance of a service. Finally,
the present invention also relates to a device for the
delivery of a commodity or for the performance of a service
using a mobile-radio terminal.
so Various methods of the type mentioned at the outset are
known in the prior art. Recently, such methods are becoming
increasingly widespread since, as a result of the use of a
mobile-radio terminal,' the commodity delivered or the
service performed can be paid for without using cash or
without the use of special payment means, for example
cheque cards or credit cards, via the mobile-radio
telephone account of the user of the mobile-radio terminal.
CA 02313940 2000-07-14
2
The journal entitled "Mobilfunk Inside", No. 40', August
1998, page 1, published by MobilCom GmbH, Schleswig,
Germany, describes a method and a device for the delivery
of a commodity using a mobile-radio terminal. An automatic
drinks dispenser is disclosed that is connected to a
telecommunications network. In order to be able to remove a
particular drink from the automatic drinks dispenser, a
particular multidigit telephone number has to be dialled by
means of a mobile telephone. The first digits in this
telephone number characterize the automatic drinks
dispenser. The final digits in the telephone number are
dialled as a function of the desired drink. The telephone
call is conveyed via the telecommunications network to the
automatic drinks dispenser, which issues the selected drink
as a function of the final digits in the telephone number.
The sale amount payable for the selected drink is invoiced
via the telephone account of the user of the mobile
telephone.
In the same journal entitled "Mobilfunk Inside", loc. cit.,
a method and a device are also described for the
performance of a service. A car wash for motor vehicles is
disclosed that is likewise connected to a
telecommunications network. A car driver who would like to
have his vehicle washed in the car wash only has to drive
up to the car wash and select a multidigit telephone number
via his mobile telephone. The first digits in the telephone
number characterize the car wash, and the car driver
chooses the wash program he desires by means of the final
3U digits of the telephone number. This service performed is
likewise invoiced via the mobile-radio telephone account of
the user of the mobile telephone.
Issue No. 35, March 1998 of the journal entitled "Mobilfunk
Inside", published by MobilCom GmbH, Schleswig, Germany,
describes a method of paying the parking fee for a motor
vehicle using a mobile telephone. If a car driver parks his
CA 02313940 2000-07-14
3
motor vehicle in a parking zone subject to fee, he calls a
"phone parking centre" via his mobile telephone and enters
an identification number of the parking zone in which he
has parked his motor vehicle. The call activates a fee
meter in the "phone parking centre". When the car driver
returns to his motor vehicle, he is able to stop the fee
meter by a fresh call to the "phone parking centre". The
parking fee payable is invoiced via the mobile telephone
account of the user of the mobile telephone.
The known methods have, however, the disadvantage that the
device for the delivery of a commodity or for the
performance of a service, in the abovementioned examples
the automatic drinks dispenser or the car wash, have to be
equipped with a separate connection to a telecommunications
network. To connect the device to the telecommunications
network, either suitable telecommunications lines or radio
links must be present. In addition to the required
infrastructure, the device itself requires, in addition,
suitable hardware, which sets up the link to the
telecommunications network, monitors it then clears it
again. The provision of the infrastructure necessary for
the connection of the device to a telecommunications
network can be very complicated and costly. The hardware in
the devices for setting up, for monitoring and for clearing
the link to the telecommunications network is relatively
complicated, large in scale and costly. For the user of the
mobile telephone, there is, in addition, the disadvantage
that the selection of the device for the delivery of a
commodity or for the performance of a service result, as a
rule, in telephone charges that the user of the mobile
telephone has to pay. These disadvantages have had the
result that despite the basically extremely advantageous
idea of the delivery of a commodity or the performance of a
service using a mobile-radio terminal, the method of the
type mentioned at the outset has hitherto not gained
acceptance in practice and will also probably tend to
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4
remain the exception in the future.
The abovementioned disadvantages of the prior art
consequently result in one object of the present invention
to simplify a method of the type mentioned at the outset.
To achieve said object, the invention proposes a method of
the type mentioned at the outset that is characterized by
the following steps:
- establishment of a first communications link between
a device for the delivery of a commodity or for the
performance of a service and the mobile-radio terminal
via a spatially narrowly limited transmission path;
- establishment of a second communications link between
the mobile-radio terminal and a services computer of a
mobile-radio telecommunications network via a mobile-
radio transmission path;
- selection of a desired commodity or service;
- delivery of the selected commodity or performance of
the selected service by the device; and
- invoicing of the sale amount for the selected
commodity or service between the device and the
service computer via the communications links.
The invention advantageously utilizes, for the
communications link between the device for the delivery of
a commodity or for the performance of a service and the
services computer of a telecommunications network, the
ability of a mobile-radio terminal to set up on its part a
communications link to the services computer of the mobile-
radio telecommunications network. To do this, it is only
necessary to establish a further communications link
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between the device for the delivery of a commodity or for
the performance of a service and the mobile-radio terminal.
The device itself consequently does not require a separate
connection to a telecommunications network.
5
Mobile telephones, in particular, are used as mobile-radio
terminals. However, thought has been given also to using
mobile-radio telephones of a different design, for example
computers with an interface to a mobile-radio
telecommunications network.
The first communications link is established via a
spatially narrowly limited transmission path. A point-to-
point link is therefore set up between the device for the
delivery of a commodity or for the performance of a service
and the mobile radio terminal within a so-called PICO
network, that is to say in a spatially narrowly limited
network. Data can be transmitted via the first
communications link in virtually any manner. The data
transmission rate can also be relatively low since only
very limited amounts of data have to be transmitted between
the device for the delivery of a commodity or for the
performance of a service~and the mobile-radio terminal. In
addition, it is conceivable to provide suitable memory
means in the mobile-radio terminal in order to store
temporarily data transmitted at a low data transmission
rate from the device to the mobile-radio terminal and then
to pass on said data to the services computer at a higher
data rate via the second communications link. Likewise,
data transmitted at a high data rate from the services
computer to the mobile-radio terminal could be stored
tAmporarily in the memory means ~f the mobile-radio
terminal and gradually passed on to the device at a low
data rate.
The restriction of the first communications link to a
spatially narrowly limited transmission path has the
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6
advantage that the technical and, consequently, also the
financial expenditure on such a communications link are
very low. In addition, the pollution of the environment by
so-called electrosmog, i.e. the pollution of the
environment, in particular, by electromagnetic waves, can
be reduced to a minimum. The restriction of the
transmission path to a spatially narrowly limited region is
not a limitation of the functional capability of the method
according to the invention since the user of the mobile-
radio terminal is in any case situated in the immediate
vicinity of the device for the delivery of the commodity or
for the performance of the service in order to receive the
commodity delivered or the service performed.
The second communications link between the mobile-radio
terminal and the services computer of a mobile-radio
telecommunications network is established via a mobile-
radio transmission path. For this purpose, the services
computer is selected by the mobile-radio terminal in a
manner known per se. The call also transmits a user
identification, for example the telephone number of the
mobile-radio terminal, to the services computer. On the
basis of the user identification, the services computer is
capable of identifying the user of the mobile-radio
terminal. The sale amount for a commodity delivered or a
service performed is invoiced via the services computer.
The services computer has access to the personal data of
the user of the mobile-radio terminal and to the data of
the user's mobile telephone account. Prior to the delivery
of a commodity or prior to the performance of a service,
items of information can be exchanged between the device
and the services computer. Thus, for example, the
creditworthiness of the user or the reaching of a
particular credit limit can be checked.
A desired commodity or service can be selected in various
ways. It can take place either via the mobile-radio
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7
terminal or directly at the device for the delivery of a
commodity or for the performance of a service. It is
furthermore conceivable that, prior to the performance of
the method according to the invention, a preliminary
selection is made by the user of the mobile-radio terminal
of particular commodities or services and stored in the
services computer. Said preliminary selection may, for
example, consist in that, whenever the user drives up to a
device for the delivery of fuel for motor vehicles, the
same fuel type is always selected, in that, whenever the
user approaches a device for the delivery of drinks in his
local pub, the preferred drink is always delivered, or in
that whenever the user goes to a device for the delivery of
newspapers and magazines, the preferred papers and
magazines are always delivered. It goes without saying that
it is possible to correct the proceedings in individual
cases by deliberate selection of a commodity or service
other than that previously selected. The selected commodity
or service is then delivered or performed, respectively, by
the device and the corresponding sale price is invoiced
between the device and the service computer via the
communications links. It is conceivable that the commodity
or service is delivered or performed, respectively, only if
the sale amount has been successfully invoiced. The
successful invoicing of the sale amount can be confirmed to
the device for the delivery of a commodity or for the
performance of a service by the services computer. It is
furthermore conceivable that the sale amount is indicated
to the user, for example by display on a viewing screen of
the mobile-radio terminal. The sale amount is invoiced only
after a confirmation of the sale amount by the user. The
sale amount for the delivered commodity or the performed
service is invoiced to the user of the mobile-radio
terminal by means of the mobile-radio account.
Since the user of a mobile-radio terminal is accepted as a
subscriber in a mobile-radio telecommunications network
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only if the identity of the user has been successfully
checked, the method according to the invention has per se
already a very high security standard. An additional check
of the identity of the user of the mobile-radio terminal
can therefore be dispensed with within the framework of the
method according to the invention, that is to say for the
processing of an electronic payment operation. To increase
the security in the case of electronic payment operations,
however, it is conceivable that, within the framework of
the present method, the identity of the user of the mobile-
radio terminal is additionally checked. The identity of the
user can be checked, for example, by entering a so-called
personal identification number (PIN) via the mobile-radio
terminal and by verifying the PIN via the services
computer.
The method according to the invention is suitable for a
multiplicity of different electronic payment operations.
Thus, it is even conceivable to withdraw cash from
automatic telling machines by the method according to the
invention. In that case, the automatic telling machine
would set up the first communications link to the mobile-
radio terminal via the spatially narrowly limited
transmission path and then further set up from the latter
the second communications link to the services computer via
the mobile-radio transmission path. The services computer
is either designed as a central banking computer or it sets
up a further communications link to a central banking
computer in order thus to ascertain the identity of the
user of the mobile-radio terminal and to check his
financial standing and in order to record the sum of money
withdrawn.
For a user of a mobile-radio terminal, the method according
to the invention has, in particular, the advantage that, if
the devices for the delivery of a commodity or for the
performance of a service are suitably equipped, all the
CA 02313940 2000-07-14
9
payments accruing in daily life can be made by this method.
Apart from the mobile-radio terminal, the user does not
have to have any additional payment means on him. In
addition, all the payments are made via a single account,
namely the mobile-radio account and are invoiced via a
single account, namely the mobile-radio account. This makes
it easier for the user to review his finances, in
particular his outlays.
It is conceivable that the user of the mobile-radio
terminal can enquire about the current state of his mobile-
radio account and can have the individual bookings on his
mobile-radio account either stated orally or sent in
writing, for example as a short-message service (SMS) or as
an electronic message (E-mail).
The payments made by the method according to the invention
have a very high security standard and, in this respect,
are far superior to other cash-free types of payment, for
example credit card, EC card or rechargeable charge card.
The method according to the invention works very
efficiently and is consequently also suitable for the
payment of small amounts of money that were hitherto made
either with cash or with a charge card.
For business, the advantages of the method according to the
invention consist, in particular, in that its devices for
the delivery of a commodity or for the performance of a
service have no longer to be connected, as previously, to
the telecommunications network at its expense. On the basis
of the method according to the invention, it is sufficient
if, for example, cash points are equipped with a suitable
interface for the establishment of the first communications
link via a spatially narrowly limited transmission path.
The communication between the cash point and a services
computer then takes place via the first communications link
to the mobile-radio terminal and from the latter, via the
CA 02313940 2000-07-14
mobile-radio transmission path of the second communications
link, to the services computer.
In accordance with an advantageous development of the
5 present invention, it is proposed that the first
communications link between the device and the mobile-radio
terminal is established via an acoustic transmission path,
for example via an ultrasonic transmission path.
10 In accordance with another advantageous development of the
invention, it is proposed that the first communications
link between the device and the mobile-radio terminal is
established via an optical transmission path, in particular
via an infrared (IR) transmission path.
In accordance with yet another advantageous development of
the invention, it is proposed that the first communications
link between the device and the mobile-radio terminal is
established via a high-frequency (HF) transmission path. An
HF transmission path has the advantage that data can be
transmitted via it even if no direct link (line-of-sight
(LOS) link) exists between the device and the mobile-radio
terminal. Although obstacles between the device and the
mobile-radio terminal can result in an attenuation of the
HF signal, data transmission via the HF transmission path
is, as a rule, still possible.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is proposed that the HF transmission path
operates according to the Bluetooth standard. The Bluetooth
standard is a relatively new standard for the transmission
of data over a spatially narrowly limited transmission path
by means of HF signals. According to the present art of the
Bluetooth standard, data are transmitted with a
transmission energy of 1 mW and a frequency of 2.4 GHz. In
order to set up the Bluetooth link as robustly as possible
and to moderate interference and fading, a rapid frequency
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11
hopping is performed. The data to be transmitted can be
encrypted with code lengths of up to 64 bit. Further
information about the Bluetooth standard can be found in
the journal entitled "Funkschau", No. 9, 1999, pages 34 -
38, WEKA, Fachzeitschriften-Verlag, Poing, and also in the
journal entitled "F & M", volume 107 (1999), 6, pages 22 -
24, Carl Hanser Verlag, Munich. Up-to-date items of
information on the Bluetooth standard can be found on the
Internet on the site http://www.bluetooth.com.
Finally, in accordance with another advantageous
development of the present invention, it is proposed that
the first communications link between the device and the
mobile-radio terminal is established via an inductive
transmission path.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is proposed that the desired commodity or
service is selected by means of input means of the mobile-
radio terminal via the first communications link.
In accordance with another advantageous development of the
invention, it is proposed that prior to the delivery of the
selected commodity or prior to the performance of the
selected service, an identification check of the user of
the mobile telephone terminal is carried out via the
mobile-radio terminal in a manner standard in the mobile
telecommunications network. Thus, it is conceivable, for
example, that, after the establishment of the first and
second communications links, the device for the delivery of
a commodity or the performance of a service generates a
random number and transmits it to the mobile-radio
terminal. The mobile-radio terminal passes on the random
number to the services computer, which calculates a new
digit sequence from the random number. To calculate the
digit sequence from the received random number, the
services computer uses a particular computation algorithm
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that is dependent on a stored identification of the user of
the mobile-radio terminal. The digit sequence is then
transmitted again from the services computer back to the
device via the mobile-radio terminal. In the meantime, the
device for the delivery of a commodity or for the
performance of a service has also calculated a digit
sequence from the generated random number by a computation
algorithm that is dependent on an entered user
identification. The device now compares the self-calculated
digit sequence with the received digit sequence. If the two
digit sequences agree, it is assumed that the stored and
the entered user identifications agree. The identity of the
user has been successfully checked and the order of the
user of the mobile-radio terminal is cleared, and the
selected commodity is delivered or the selected service is
performed. The method described by way of example of an
identity check of the user serves additionally to safeguard
the payment operation. The identity check method operates
similarly to the method of authentication of the user of a
mobile-radio terminal, which method is used in mobile radio
telecommunications networks.
In accordance with another advantageous development of the
present invention, it is proposed that to invoice the sale
amount for the commodity delivered or the service
performed, further items of information relating to the
selected commodity or service are transmitted by the device
via the communications links to the services computer
between the device and the services computer. These further
3U items of information comprise, for example, a product
number, a product designation, a dealer number or a dealer
name. The further items of information can be stored in the
services computer and, if necessary, retrieved. Thus, for
example, what, when and where a purchase was made can be
precisely listed on the mobile-radio account. The items of
information stored in the services computer can be used for
the purpose of statistical evaluations.
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13
A further object of the present invention consists in
designing and developing a mobile-radio terminal of the
type mentioned at the outset so that it can be used within
the framework of the method according to the invention as a
means for the delivery of a commodity or for the
performance of a service.
To achieve this object, the invention proposes a mobile-
radio terminal of the type mentioned at the outset that is
characterized by:
- first means for the establishment of a first
communications link between a device for the delivery
of a commodity or for the performance of a service and
the mobile-radio terminal via a spatially narrowly
limited transmission path;
second means for the establishment of a second
communications link between the mobile-radio terminal
and a services computer of a mobile-radio
telecommunications network via a mobile-radio
transmission path; and
- third means for the reception of data via the
spatially narrowly limited transmission path and for
the passing-on of the received data via the mobile-
radio transmission path or for the reception of data
via the mobile-radio transmission path and for the
passing on of the received data via the spatially
narrowly limited transmission path.
In accordance with an advantageous development of the
present invention, the first means have an acoustic
interface. An acoustic transmission path is established
with the aid of said acoustic interface between the mobile-
radio terminal and the device.
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In accordance with another advantageous development of the
present invention, it is proposed that the first means have
an optical interface, in particular an infrared (IR)
interface. An optical transmission path can be established
with the aid of the optical interface and an IR
transmission path can be established with the aid of the IR
interface. The IR transmission path may operate, for
example, according to the Infrared Data Association (IrDA)
standard. The IrDA standard is a specification for wireless
IR links, in particular between PC and periphery. The IR
transmission path may, however, also operate according to
the expanded Advanced-Infrared (AIR) standard.
In accordance with yet another advantageous development of
the present invention, the first means have a high-
frequency (HF) interface that operates, in particular
according to the Bluetooth standard.
Finally, in accordance with another advantageous
development of the invention, it is proposed that the first
means have an inductive interface.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is proposed that the mobile-radio terminal
has fourth means for the selection of the commodity or the
service via the first communications link. The desired
commodity or service can be selected from the mobile-radio
terminal via said fourth means. Corresponding selection
means on the device for the delivery of a commodity or for
the performance of a service can consequently be dispensed
with. In accordance with this embodiment, the device uses
the mobile-radio terminal, on the one hand, to establish a
communications link to the services computer of a mobile-
radio telecommunications network and, on the other hand, to
make a selection in relation to the desired commodity or
service. As a result, the devices for the delivery of a
CA 02313940 2000-07-14
commodity or for the performance of a service can be of
particularly simple design, inexpensive and require little
maintenance. On the other hand, it does not mean additional
expenditure for the mobile-radio terminals since they
5 already have suitable means that can be used as selection
means.
Advantageously, the fourth means are designed as a
dialling/operating keyboard of the mobile-radio terminal.
10 Alternatively, it is proposed that the fourth means are
designed as a touch-sensitive viewing screen of the mobile-
radio terminal. In order to make it easier for the user of
the mobile-radio terminal to select a particular commodity
or service, it is conceivable that the device transmits via
15 the first communications link to the mobile-radio terminal
items of information about the available commodities or
services. Said items of information can then be displayed
on the viewing screen of the mobile-radio terminal device.
If the mobile-radio terminal device has a touch-sensitive
viewing screen, the user can select the desired commodities
or services by simply touching the items of information
displayed on the viewing screen. If not, the user can make
his choice via the dialling/operating keyboard of the
mobile-radio terminal.
In accordance with a preferred development of the present
invention, the mobile-radio terminal is designed as mobile
telephone. It is, however, also conceivable that the
mobile-radio terminal is designed as an organizer or as a
3U PC, preferably as a portable PC, that has an interface to a
mobile-radio telecommunications network.
Finally, it is an object of the present invention to design
and develop a device of the type mentioned at the outset so
that commodities can be delivered or services performed in
as simple a manner as possible using a mobile-radio
terminal.
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16
To achieve said object, the invention proposes a device of
the type mentioned at the outset that is characterized by
- fifth means for the establishment of a first
communications link between the device and the mobile-
radio terminal over a spatially narrowly limited
transmission path;
- sixth means for the delivery of a selected commodity
or for the performance of a selected service; and
- seventh means for the invoicing of the sale amount for
the selected commodity or service via the mobile-radio
terminal between the device and the services computer
of a mobile-radio telecommunications network.
In accordance with an advantageous development of the
present invention, it is proposed that the fifth means have
an acoustic interface. In accordance with another
advantageous development, the fifth means have an optical
interface, preferably an infrared (IR) interface.
Furthermore, it is proposed that the fifth means have a
high-frequency (HF) interface that preferably operates
according to the Bluetooth standard. Finally, the invention
proposes that the fifth means have an inductive interface.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is proposed that the device has eighth means
for the transmission of further items of information in
relation to the selected commodity or service from the
device t~ the services computer via the mobile-radio
terminal.
Finally, it is proposed that the invention has ninth means
for the control of the work cycle of the method according
to one of Claims 1 to 10.
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17
A preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention is
explained in greater detail by reference to the drawings.
In the drawings:
Figure 1 shows a method according to the invention in
accordance with a preferred embodiment in a
diagrammatic view; and
Figure 2 shows the method according to the invention from
Figure 1 in a flowchart.
Figure 1 shows diagrammatically a method according to the
invention for the delivery of a commodity or for the
performance of a service in accordance with a preferred
embodiment. To carry out the method, a device 1 is provided
for the delivery of a commodity or for the performance of a
service. The device 1 shown in Figure 1 is designed as an
automatic drinks dispenser that has an ejection compartment
2 via which a selected drink is delivered. The device 1
has, in addition, an optical interface 3 that is designed
as an infrared (IR) interface. The drinks offered or other
items of information can be displayed on a viewing screen 4
of the device 1.
A services computer 5 is furthermore provided to carry out
the method according to the invention. The services
computer 5 is part of a mobile-radio telecommunications
network and has access to items of information about
subscribers of the mobile-radio telecommunications network
and to their mobile-radio accounts. The device 1
establishes a communications connection to the services
computer 5 for invoicing the sale amount for a commodity
delivered or a service performed. The sale amount is then
invoiced via the services computer 5 to a particular
subscriber of the mobile-radio telecommunications network
and appears on his mobile-radio invoice.
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Finally, to carry out the method according to the
invention, a mobile-radio terminal 6 is provided that is
designed as a mobile-radio telephone. The communications
link between the device 1 and the services computer 5 is
established, in accordance with the present invention, via
the mobile-radio terminal 6. The communications link is
divided into two and comprises a first communications
link 7 via a spatially narrowly limited transmission path 8
and a second communications link 9 via a mobile-radio
transmission path 10. The spatially narrowly limited
transmission path 8 is designed as an IR transmission path
and ranges over distances of up to several tens of
centimetres. The mobile-radio transmission path 10 ranges
over distances of several hundred metres.
The mobile-radio terminal 6 has an optical interface 11
that is designed as an IR interface. The first
communications link 7 is established between the IR
interface 3 of the device 1 and the IR interface 11 of the
mobile-radio terminal 6.
The first communications link 7 can take place not only via
the IR transmission path 8, but also via an acoustic
transmission path, an inductive transmission path or via a
high-frequency (HF) transmission path. Thought is given, in
particular, to those HF transmission paths that operate
according to the Bluetooth standard.
The mobile-radio terminal 6 has a viewing screen 12 on
which, for example, the drinks available in the device 1 or
the sale amount to be paid can be displayed. The mobile-
radio terminal has, in addition, a dialling keyboard 13 and
an operating keyboard 14 in the form of function keys. The
dialling keyboard 13 can likewise be used to operate the
mobile-radio terminal 6. The desired drink can be selected
via the dialling/operating keyboard 13, 14. The selection
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made is then transmitted via the first communications
link 7 from the mobile-radio terminal 6 to the device 1.
The second communications link 9 is established in a manner
known per se via the mobile-radio transmission path 10 by
the mobile-radio terminal 6 dialling a telephone number of
the services computer 5 and a communications link being set
up.
The method according to the invention is now explained in
greater detail by reference to the flowchart from Figure 2.
The method begins at function block 20 either
automatically, as soon as the mobile-radio terminal 6 comes
into the vicinity of the device 1 for the delivery of a
commodity or for the performance of a service, or manually,
by operating a key of the dialling/operating keyboard 13,
14 or a specially provided key of the mobile-radio terminal
6 or a specially provided key of the device 1. Next, the
first communications link 7 is established between the
device 1 and the mobile-radio terminal 6 in function block
21. The second communications link 9 is then established in
function block 22 between the mobile-radio terminal and the
services computer 5 of the mobile-radio telecommunications
network. The first and second communications links 7, 9 can
also be set up in the reverse sequence or even
simultaneously.
In an adjoining function block 23, the supply of
commodities or services is transmitted by the device l to
the mobile-radio terminal 6 via the first communications
link 7. In a function block 24, the supply of the device 1
is displayed on the viewing screen 12 of the mobile-radio
terminal 6. In function block 25, the user of the mobile-
radio terminal 6 then makes a selection of the desired
commodity or service. In the present exemplary embodiment,
the user selects a desired drink. The selection takes place
either via the dialling/operating keyboard 13, 14 or via
CA 02313940 2000-07-14
the viewing screen 12 of the mobile-radio terminal 6 if the
latter is designed as a touch-sensitive viewing screen. It
is also conceivable that the selection of the desired drink
is made via a suitable keyboard (not shown) directly at the
5 device 1.
If the desired drink is selected at the mobile-radio
terminal 6, the selection made is transmitted in a function
block 26 from the mobile-radio terminal 6 to the device 1
10 via the first communications link 7.
In an adjoining function block 27, the device 1 carries out
a comparison of the personal data of the user of the
mobile-radio terminal 6. For this purpose, the telephone
15 number of the mobile-radio terminal 6 is transmitted to the
services computer 5. On the basis of the telephone number,
the services computer 5 can determine the identity of the
user of the mobile-radio terminal 6 and check his
creditworthiness and/or other parameters. Within the
20 framework of the function block 27, an additional check can
also be made on the identity of the user. For this purpose,
identity check methods can be used that operate like the
methods used in mobile radio telecommunications networks
for identifying the user of a mobile-radio terminal 6. The
result of the comparison of the personal data is
transmitted by the services computer 5 to the device 1 via
the second communications link 9, the mobile-radio terminal
6 and the first communications link 7.
In an adjoining enquiry block 28, whether the comparison of
the personal data of the user has been carried out
successfully is checked. If that is the case, the device 1
effects, in an adjoining function block 29, the invoicing
of the sale amount that is payable for the commodity
selected or the service performed. The sale amount is then
invoiced in turn via the first communications link 7 and
the second communications link 9 in the services computer
CA 02313940 2000-07-14
21
5. The successful invoicing of the sale amount is
communicated to the device 1 in function block 30 as an
acknowledgement from the services computer 5 via the second
communications link 9 and the first communications link 7.
In an adjoining enquiry block 31, whether the sale amount
has been successfully invoiced is checked. If that is the
case, the selected commodity or service is delivered or
performed, respectively, in adjoining function block 32. In
the present exemplary embodiment, the selected drink is
delivered via the ejection compartment 2 of the device 1.
Consequently, the end of the method according to the
invention is reached in function block 33.
During the working cycle of the method according to the
invention, a branch is also made to the end of the method
at function block 33 if the enquiry in the enquiry block 28
reveals that the comparison of the personal data of the
user of the mobile-radio terminal 6 has not been carried
out successfully or if the enquiry in the enquiry block.31
reveals that the sale amount has not been successfully
invoiced.
