WO2002021233A2 - Data communications - Google Patents

Data communications Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002021233A2
WO2002021233A2 PCT/GB2001/003971 GB0103971W WO0221233A2 WO 2002021233 A2 WO2002021233 A2 WO 2002021233A2 GB 0103971 W GB0103971 W GB 0103971W WO 0221233 A2 WO0221233 A2 WO 0221233A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
data
parameters
processing device
data processing
data string
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2001/003971
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2002021233A3 (en
Inventor
Mrsic-Flogel
Original Assignee
Paradox Software Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Paradox Software Limited filed Critical Paradox Software Limited
Priority to AU2001284266A priority Critical patent/AU2001284266A1/en
Publication of WO2002021233A2 publication Critical patent/WO2002021233A2/en
Publication of WO2002021233A3 publication Critical patent/WO2002021233A3/en

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Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04MTELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/72Mobile telephones; Cordless telephones, i.e. devices for establishing wireless links to base stations without route selection
    • H04M1/724User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
    • H04M1/72403User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
    • H04M1/72445User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality for supporting Internet browser applications

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to methods of, computer programs for,
  • processing devices with communications parameters to enable them to access remote data resources.
  • authorisation/ authentication parameters etc.
  • a user may wish to
  • PC personal computer
  • the user will run browser software on the PC and will instruct the
  • ISP Internet Service Provider
  • this information may be pre-stored in the PC, and all the user will
  • remote data resource such as a Universal Resource Locator (URL).
  • URL Universal Resource Locator
  • Mobile or wireless devices such as mobile phones and personal digital
  • PDAs personal digital assistants
  • processing device as when using a fixed device such as a fixed PC.
  • a fixed device such as a fixed PC.
  • the settings will need to be specified on a periodic or per communications
  • access a data resource at a remote data processing device may need to specify
  • SMS Session Management Service
  • Telnet Telnet settings
  • terminal settings World Wide Web
  • WWW File Transfer Protocol
  • Internet settings Internet settings
  • the parameters being for use in the data processing device accessing a remote
  • the parameters being for use in the data processing device accessing a remote
  • the data string comprising at least one of the parameters encoded
  • the data string is a single decimal number or a plurality of
  • decimal code is suited to manual entry into a numeric keypad, such
  • the data string being for user input into a data processing device
  • the one or more parameters being for use in the data processing device
  • the data string being for user input into a data processing device
  • the one or more parameters being for use in the data processing device
  • the encoding method functions to compress and/or encrypt
  • the encoded data string comprises a checksum for use
  • parameters may be checked by the communications device without establishing
  • Figure 1 shows a typical arrangement of data processing devices for
  • Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing structured data types for
  • Figure 3a to f show a user interface of a WAP-enabled data processing
  • Figure 1 shows a typical arrangement of data processing devices for
  • WAP-enabled mobile phone 10 passes a service request
  • WAP gateway (or WAP proxy) 14. There are many bearers with which WAP-
  • GSM Global System for Mobile communications
  • CSD Circuit Switched Data
  • IP IP
  • MSISDN Modem or modem bank
  • gateway 14 In certain circumstances, further information is needed such as
  • gateway 14 as a port number of gateway 14, an authentication type - for example the Challenge Access Protocol (CHAP) or the Password Access Protocol (PAP), an
  • an authentication name an authentication secret
  • a call type i.e. analogue or
  • ISDN Integrated Services Digital Network
  • call speed i.e. a baud rate
  • a call speed i.e. a baud rate
  • gateway authentication name a gateway authentication secret and an ISP name.
  • gateway server 14 will need to be specified as well as an
  • SMS Centre SMSC
  • gateway server 14 a port number corresponding to gateway server 14 will also need to be
  • gateway 14 As well as an network address for gateway 14 and various parameters
  • content server 16 will also need to be specified and, preferably, a user-
  • bookmark URLs or user identification parameters are examples of bookmark URLs or user identification parameters.
  • Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing structured data types for
  • access of a remote data resource at origin server 16 are encoded using an
  • the encoding algorithm uses a predetermined parameter structure to group all the parameters to be provided into a single decimal
  • the encoding algorithm also uses compression techniques to
  • encryption techniques to prevent the encoding method from being
  • Figure 2 shows the characteristic data structures used by the encoding
  • the third column relates to GSM/SMS as the bearer
  • Data block 20 is a two bit version number corresponding to the version
  • Data block 22 is a one bit MSISDN type
  • MSISDNs such as the MSISDN of the SMSC or the MSISDN of a dial-up modem or modem
  • Data block 24 is a single decimal digit representing an encoding type.
  • mobile phone 10 may be set to default values so that the code may be
  • the user friendly service name is shortened. According to one encoding type, the user friendly service name
  • WAP Service may be set by default to "WAP Service" or a name corresponding to a WAP
  • the user-friendly service name the user-friendly service name
  • Data block 26 is a one bit flag representing whether the GSM/CSD
  • bearer operates in connection-oriented mode or connectionless mode.
  • Data block 28 is a one bit flag
  • Data block 30 is a one bit flag
  • Data blocks 32 and 34 represent the user-friendly service name given to
  • Data block 32 is a one decimal
  • a service name link of 5 indicates that a
  • Data block 34 representing the
  • service name string itself is a decimal number representing an alphanumeric
  • character may be specified by a numeral between 0 and 29.
  • Data block 40 is a one bit flag representing whether the URL specifying
  • Data blocks 42 the data resource to be accessed is represented in dotted decimal IP notation (i.e. x.x.x.x) or as a domain name (i.e. abc.com/content.wml).
  • IP notation i.e. x.x.x.x
  • domain name i.e. abc.com/content.wml.
  • Data block 42 is a two decimal digit number representing the
  • Data block 44 is a
  • decimal number representing an alphanumeric URL string which may be
  • Data block 46 is the URL representing the data resource
  • IP dotted decimal notation represents four two digit
  • decimals (omitting the dots) may be represented with only 10 decimal
  • Data block 48 represents the IP address in dotted decimal notation of
  • gateway server 14 This data block is compressed as has been described above
  • Data block 50 is a one bit flag representing
  • Data block 52 is a four decimal code representing the port number.
  • Data block 54 is a two bit code representing which type of authentication is used - for example,
  • Data block 56 is a one bit flag representing the bearer type
  • GSM/CSD Global System for Mobile communications
  • a single decimal number may be used to represent
  • Data block 60 is a two decimal digit number representing the length of
  • Data block 62 is the
  • Data block 64 is a two decimal digit number representing length of
  • Data block 66 is the MSISDN of the SME itself. Note that these
  • Data block 70 is a two decimal digit number representing
  • Data block 72 is
  • Data block 74 is a two bit
  • block 76 is a one bit flag representing whether the modem connection requires
  • data block 78, 80, 82 and 84 are
  • Data block 78 is a two decimal digit number representing length of
  • Data block 80 is a decimal number representing the alphanumeric user name string itself which is compressed as has been
  • Data block 82 is a
  • Data block 84 Two decimal digit number representing length of the password.
  • data block 90 is an optional checksum, preferably using two
  • decimal digits computed over all of the previous parameters if specified.
  • decimal code may be used to verify that the decimal code presents a valid set of parameters
  • example data block 20 which is a two bit data element and data block 22 which
  • mobile phone 10 may be represented by a relatively short decimal
  • gateway server 14 may be used to represent all the parameters required to be provided to mobile phone
  • decimal code For example, individual decimals may be mapped
  • decimals in a decimal number may be combined together in turn (with the final
  • decimal being added to the first decimal) to generate an encrypted decimal
  • the encoding may be performed by a suitable data processing device
  • a corresponding decoding algorithm may be
  • the decoding algorithm may be included in the WAP browser
  • Figure 3a to f show a user interface of mobile phone 10 for entering
  • Figure 3a shows a screen
  • Screen 100 presents to a user of
  • FIG. 3b screen 100 presents three options to a user to be
  • the user may activate the profile (if
  • the user may configure Profile 1 with new parameters
  • the user may edit previously stored profile settings.
  • Figure 3 c shows two options that may be
  • the user may enter a Service Code in
  • the user may use a
  • the user enters the decimal code according to the present invention and selects
  • Mobile phone 10 may then present a screen such as
  • a screen such as
  • decimal codes In a further embodiment of the present invention, the decimal codes
  • algorithm is an alphanumeric code such as a hexadecimal code, an alphabetic-
  • decimal code or
  • alphanumeric code may be used by the communications device to access a
  • the server comprises a pre-configured database mapping the decimal
  • the server provides the various parameters required
  • the server to access the remote data resource.
  • the server in a variant of this embodiment, the server
  • the communications may use a decoding algorithm as described above to generate the parameters required, rather than a database.
  • the communications may use a decoding algorithm as described above to generate the parameters required, rather than a database.
  • the database may be any suitable alphanumeric codes to the various parameters required.
  • the database may be any suitable alphanumeric codes to the various parameters required.
  • the database may be any suitable alphanumeric codes to the various parameters required.
  • the database may be any suitable alphanumeric codes to the various parameters required.
  • the database may be any suitable alphanumeric codes to the various parameters required.
  • the database may be any suitable alphanumeric codes to the various parameters required.
  • SIM Subscriber Identity Module
  • the communications device need not
  • PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network
  • packet-switched such as PSTN
  • IP Internet Protocol
  • GSM Global System for Mobile communications
  • PHS Personal Handyphone System
  • GSM networks will be mapped to service supported by the data network.
  • GSM networks will be mapped to GSM services supported by the data network.
  • High Speed Circuit-Switched Data (HSCSD)
  • UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service
  • TDMA time division multiple access
  • CDMA division multiple access

Abstract

According to the present invention there are provided methods of, computer programs for and apparatus for providing a data processing device with a plurality of parameters, the parameters being for use in the data processing device accessing a remote data resource, the method comprising the following steps: a) entering a data string into the data processing device using a human-machine interface of the data processing device; b) the data processing device obtaining the plurality of parameters on the basis of the data string, c) storing the plurality of parameters in the data processing device. Methods of, computer programs for and apparatus for encoding and for decoding a data string are also provided as well as methods of, computer programs for and apparatus for accessing remote data resources.

Description

Data Communications
Field of the Present Invention
The present invention relates to methods of, computer programs for,
and apparatus for providing data processing devices with communications
parameters. More particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates
to methods of, computer programs for, and apparatus for providing mobile data
processing devices with communications parameters to enable them to access remote data resources.
Background of the Present Invention
When establishing a data communications link from a local . data
processing device to a remote data processing device, to access remote data
resources for example, various communications settings are normally required.
For instance, some or all of the following may need to be specified: a
telecommunications protocol, a data transfer rate (or baud rate), network
identities of the remote data processing device, a name or identifier of the user
of the local data processing device, a name or identifier of a data resource to be
accessed at the remote data processing device, a password or other
authorisation/ authentication parameters etc. For example, a user may wish to
access an Internet site using a home or office personal computer (PC).
Typically, the user will run browser software on the PC and will instruct the
browser software to establish a communications link to a network access server of an Internet Service Provider (ISP) using a modem and associated
telecommunications software. The user will normally be required to specify
the phone number of a modem bank connected to the ISP's network access
server and will also be required to specify a user name and password. For
convenience, this information may be pre-stored in the PC, and all the user will
need to specify in order to access a remote data resource is an identifier of that
remote data resource, such as a Universal Resource Locator (URL).
Mobile or wireless devices, such as mobile phones and personal digital
assistants (PDAs) with telecommunications capabilities are widely available.
In general, similar settings will need to be specified when using a mobile or
wireless device to establish a communications link with a remote data
processing device as when using a fixed device such as a fixed PC. However,
due to the mobility and limited storage of mobile or wireless devices, it is less
likely that many of the settings will be pre-stored and more likely that many of
the settings will need to be specified on a periodic or per communications
session basis. For example, mobile and wireless devices are available which
conform to the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) specification. Users
wishing to establish a communications link from a WAP-enabled device to
access a data resource at a remote data processing device may need to specify
up to about 20 different settings. Manually entering this information on
devices such as mobile phones, which do not in general have the benefits of
large screens, fully featured keypads and graphical user interfaces, can present
a problem. Nokia™ have developed a protocol called Smart Messaging which
enables remote configuration of communications settings for mobile phones
such as Internet access parameters, electronic mail settings, Short Message
Service (SMS) settings, Telnet settings, terminal settings, World Wide Web
(WWW) settings, File Transfer Protocol (FTP) settings, Internet settings,
telephone settings and WWW autofetch settings. Phone.com™ have
developed a similar "over the air" service for provisioning mobile phones.
One problem with the "over the air" approach to provisioning is that it
requires interaction between the user of the mobile phone, or other
communications device, and the provider of the "over the air" settings, which
significantly restricts the freedom and choice of the user.
Summary of the Present Invention
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a
method of providing a data processing device with a plurality of parameters,
the parameters being for use in the data processing device accessing a remote
data resource, the method comprising the following steps:
a) entering a data string into the data processing device using a
human-machine interface of the data processing device;
b) the data processing device obtaining the plurality of parameters
on the basis of the data string,
c) storing the plurality of parameters in a data store accessible to
the data processing device. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided
a method of providing a data processing device with one or more parameters,
the parameters being for use in the data processing device accessing a remote
data resource, the data string comprising at least one of the parameters encoded
using an encoding algorithm, the method comprising the following steps:
a) entering a data string into the data processing device using a
human-machine interface of the data processing device ;
b) the data processing device obtaining the one or more parameters
on the basis of the data string,
c) storing the one or more parameters in a data store accessible to
the data processing device.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a
method of accessing a remote data resource using a data processing device, the
method comprising the following steps:
a) entering a data string into the data processing device using a
human-machine interface of the data processing device ;
b) the data processing device obtaining a plurality of parameters on
the basis of the data string, the parameters being for use in the data processing
device accessing a remote data resource,
c) accessing the remote data resource using the obtained
parameters.
An advantage of the first, second and third aspects above is the ability
of the ability of the user of a mobile phone or other communications device to self-provision using a single data string or code which may be obtained from
any source, such as conventional print media or from friends.
Preferably, the data string is a single decimal number or a plurality of
decimal numbers separated by a non-numeric character. One advantage of this
is that the decimal code is suited to manual entry into a numeric keypad, such
as found on mobile phones.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a
method of encoding one or more parameters for inclusion in at least part of a
data string, the data string being for user input into a data processing device,
the one or more parameters being for use in the data processing device
accessing a remote data resource, the encoding being performed using an
encoding algorithm.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a
method of decoding at least part of a data string to obtain one or more
parameters, the data string being for user input into a data processing device,
the one or more parameters being for use in the data processing device
accessing a remote data resource, the decoding being performed using a
decoding algorithm.
Preferably, the encoding method functions to compress and/or encrypt
the parameters for provisioning and the decoding method functions to
decompress and/or decrypt the code. An advantage of compressing the
parameters is that the data string or code may require substantially less
keypresses to enter into a mobile phone or other communications device than the corresponding unencoded parameters. An advantage of encrypting the
parameters is that the encoding method cannot be easily reverse-engineered by
third parties thus preventing third parties from generating data strings or codes
which may be decoded using decoding methods for provisioning
communications devices.
Also preferably, the encoded data string comprises a checksum for use
in validating the data string. An advantage of this is that the validity of the
parameters may be checked by the communications device without establishing
or attempting to establish a communications link using erroneous parameters.
Computer programs and data processing devices for performing the
methods of the above aspects are also provided.
There now follows, by way of example only, a detailed description of
preferred embodiments of the present invention in which:
Brief Description of Diagrams
Figure 1 shows a typical arrangement of data processing devices for
providing a WAP-enabled data processing device with access to a remote data
resource;
Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing structured data types for
provisioning a WAP-enabled data processing device according to an
embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 3a to f show a user interface of a WAP-enabled data processing
device as used in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Present Invention
Figure 1 shows a typical arrangement of data processing devices for
providing a WAP-enabled data processing device with access to a remote data
resource, wherein WAP-enabled mobile phone 10 passes a service request
message to obtain content or a service at remote content server (or origin
server) 16 via base station transceiver 12 of a cellular mobile network and
WAP gateway (or WAP proxy) 14. There are many bearers with which WAP-
enabled mobile phone 10 may communicate with WAP gateway 14. Cellular
networks conforming to the Global System for Mobile Communications
(GSM) currently use Circuit Switched Data (CSD) or Short Message Service
(SMS) as a bearer for data communications. An embodiment of the present
invention will be described for provisioning a data processing device with
parameters enabling access to remote data resources using either of these two
bearers.
To provision WAP-enabled mobile phone 10, many parameters may
need to be configured, some of which will depend on which bearer is used to
provide the data communications service. With GSM/CSD, an Internet
Protocol (IP) address for gateway server 14 will need to be specified as will a
telephone number (i.e. a Mobile Station International Service Directory
Number (MSISDN)) corresponding to a modem or modem bank associated
with gateway 14. In certain circumstances, further information is needed such
as a port number of gateway 14, an authentication type - for example the Challenge Access Protocol (CHAP) or the Password Access Protocol (PAP), an
authentication name, an authentication secret, a call type (i.e. analogue or
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)), a call speed (i.e. a baud rate), a
gateway authentication name, a gateway authentication secret and an ISP name.
With GSM/SMS, an MSISDN of a Short Messaging Entity (SME)
associated with gateway server 14 will need to be specified as well as an
MSISDN corresponding to an SMS Centre (SMSC). In certain circumstances,
a port number corresponding to gateway server 14 will also need to be
specified. It will be appreciated that various other parameters will need to be
specified for other data networks and bearer services depending upon the data
network type and bearer type used for access.
As well as an network address for gateway 14 and various parameters
relating to the bearer service, a URL corresponding to the content maintained
on content server 16 will also need to be specified and, preferably, a user-
friendly name for use as a recognition handle by a user of mobile phone 10.
Other parameters may also be specified relevant to content server 16 such as
bookmark URLs or user identification parameters.
Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing structured data types for
provisioning a WAP-enabled data processing device according to an
embodiment of the present invention. According to the present invention, the
various parameters which need to be provided to mobile phone 10 to enable
access of a remote data resource at origin server 16 are encoded using an
encoding algorithm. The encoding algorithm uses a predetermined parameter structure to group all the parameters to be provided into a single decimal
number or code. The encoding algorithm also uses compression techniques to
reduce the amount of data required to specify certain of the parameters and,
optionally, encryption techniques to prevent the encoding method from being
reverse-engineered by a third party. This is to prevent codes being generated
for provisioning access to arbitrary WAP content or services by third parties
without permission. Techniques for compression and encryption will be
described in greater detail below.
Figure 2 shows the characteristic data structures used by the encoding
algorithm of the present invention. Each of the parameters that may need to be
provided to mobile phone 10 are shown as individual data blocks. The data
blocks are arranged into four columns for ease of presentation. The first
column relates to general parameters relevant to the provision. The second
column relates to network addresses and other information relevant to gateway
server 14 and content server 16. The third and fourth columns relate to bearer
parameters. In particular, the third column relates to GSM/SMS as the bearer
type, and the fourth column relates to GSM/CSD as the bearer type. Finally, a
further data block 90 is shown for optionally providing a checksum of all the
parameters specified in the data blocks of columns 1 to 4.
Data block 20 is a two bit version number corresponding to the version
of the encoding algorithm used. Data block 22 is a one bit MSISDN type
which is a flag representing whether or not international prefixes (such as +44
for the UK or +358 for Finland) are to be used when specifying MSISDNs such as the MSISDN of the SMSC or the MSISDN of a dial-up modem or modem
bank. Data block 24 is a single decimal digit representing an encoding type.
Depending on the encoding type, various of the parameters required by
mobile phone 10 may be set to default values so that the code may be
shortened. According to one encoding type, the user friendly service name
may be set by default to "WAP Service" or a name corresponding to a WAP
service provider such as "In Hand"™. By defaulting the user friendly service
name, it is possible to omit data blocks 32 and 34 to be described below. In a
similar fashion, depending upon the encoding type, various other parameters
required by mobile phone 10 may be set to default values.
According to another encoding type, the user-friendly service name
may contain a default prefix or suffix such as "In Hand" or "WAP Service".
Thus, a service name will still be encoded using the encoding algorithm but
will represent only part of the service name provided to mobile phone 10.
It will be appreciated that, by using encoding types, any of the data
blocks set out in Figure 2, other than data block 20 and 24 themselves, may be
given default values whether in part or in whole.
Data block 26 is a one bit flag representing whether the GSM/CSD
bearer operates in connection-oriented mode or connectionless mode.
GSM/SMS is always connectionless. Data block 28 is a one bit flag
representing whether a security protocol such as the Wireless Transport Layer
Security protocol (WTLS) is used or not. Data block 30 is a one bit flag
representing whether GSM/CSD uses ISDN links or an analogue modem link. Data blocks 32 and 34 represent the user-friendly service name given to
the provisioned communications parameters. Data block 32 is a one decimal
digit representing the length of the service name string to be provided in data
block 34. The actual length of the service name string is twice the number
specified in data block 32. Thus, a service name link of 5 indicates that a
service name string of 10 characters is expected. Thus, the maximum number
of characters that may be specified using a one decimal service name length is
18 characters. In comparison to having a two decimal code representing the
service name length, a saving of one decimal is made when the service name
string contains an even number of characters. Data block 34, representing the
service name string itself, is a decimal number representing an alphanumeric
service name. Only the 26 letters of the English alphabet plus certain other
characters such as "-", "/", "." and " " (ie. a space) may be used. Thus, each
character may be specified by a numeral between 0 and 29. With a string of
characters, it is possible to take the most significant digits of numerals
representing the characters (which will be either 0, 1, or 2) in pairs and
combine each pair into a single representative decimal digit between 0 and 8.
The least significant digits, on the other hand, cannot be compressed in this
way. Thus, it is possible to compress a two character service name string,
which would normally take four decimal numbers to represent, into a three
decimal number.
Data block 40 is a one bit flag representing whether the URL specifying
the data resource to be accessed is represented in dotted decimal IP notation (i.e. x.x.x.x) or as a domain name (i.e. abc.com/content.wml). Data blocks 42
and 44 are relevant where the data resource is represented as a URL in domain
name form. Data block 42 is a two decimal digit number representing the
length of the URL string to be provided in data block 44. Data block 44 is a
decimal number representing an alphanumeric URL string which may be
compressed in the same manner as has been described above with respect to the
service name string. Data block 46 is the URL representing the data resource
in dotted decimal notation. However, a similar compression technique may be
used here as well. IP dotted decimal notation represents four two digit
hexadecimal numbers in decimal form. Thus, there are four decimal numbers
each ranging from 0 to 255. Note that the dots can obviously be omitted. The
most significant digit of the decimal numbers range between 0 and 2. Thus, the
most significant digits can be taken in pairs and each pair represented as a
single decimal number between 0 and 8 as above. The least significant two
digits of each decimal number between 0 and 255 cannot be compressed in this
way. Thus, a dotted decimal notation which would normally take twelve
decimals (omitting the dots) may be represented with only 10 decimal
numbers.
Data block 48 represents the IP address in dotted decimal notation of
gateway server 14. This data block is compressed as has been described above
with reference to data block 46. Data block 50 is a one bit flag representing
whether a port number is to be specified for the gateway server. If so, data
block 52 is a four decimal code representing the port number. Data block 54 is a two bit code representing which type of authentication is used - for example,
CHAP or PAP etc. Data block 56 is a one bit flag representing the bearer type
to be used - i.e. GSM/CSD or GSM/SMS. For networks which accommodate
more than two bearer types, a single decimal number may be used to represent
which bearer type is used, thus giving ten bearer type option instead of two.
If the bearer type is GSM/SMS, then data block 60, 62, 64 and 66 are
used. Data block 60 is a two decimal digit number representing the length of
the MSISDN of the SMSC in two decimal numbers. Data block 62 is the
MSISDN of the SMSC. Note that this will either be represented in
international format or in local format depending upon the value set in data
block 22. Data block 64 is a two decimal digit number representing length of
the MSISDN of the Short Messaging Entity (SME) associated with gateway
server 14. Data block 66 is the MSISDN of the SME itself. Note that these
MSISDN numbers cannot individually be compressed.
If the bearer type is GSM/CSD, then data block 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80,
82 and 84 are used. Data block 70 is a two decimal digit number representing
length of the MSISDN of the dial-up modem or modem bank. Data block 72 is
the MSISDN of the modem or modem bank itself. Data block 74 is a two bit
number representing the speed or baud rate of the modem connection. Data
block 76 is a one bit flag representing whether the modem connection requires
a log in user name and password. If so, data block 78, 80, 82 and 84 are
required. Data block 78 is a two decimal digit number representing length of
the user name. Data block 80 is a decimal number representing the alphanumeric user name string itself which is compressed as has been
described above with reference to the service name string. Data block 82 is a
two decimal digit number representing length of the password. Data block 84
is a decimal number representing the alphanumeric password itself, which is
compressed as has been described above.
Finally, data block 90 is an optional checksum, preferably using two
decimal digits, computed over all of the previous parameters if specified. This
may be used to verify that the decimal code presents a valid set of parameters
for provision to mobile phone 10.
When generating a single decimal code representing the various
parameters required by mobile phone 10, whether some are provided by default
or not, the various data blocks shown in Figure 2 may be ordered in any
manner. Preferably data blocks which are not whole decimal digits, for
example data block 20 which is a two bit data element and data block 22 which
is a one bit flag, are aggregated in a predetermined order and represented as one
or more decimal digits. Thus, it can be seen that the various parameters
required by mobile phone 10 may be represented by a relatively short decimal
number or code. For example, using an encoding type which sets as default the
user friendly service name, the network address of the data resource identifier
at content server 16, uses GSM/CSD as the bearer and sets default values for
other bearer and service-related parameters, the only substantial data item to be
included in the code is the MSISDN of the dial-up modem or modem bank of
gateway server 14. Thus, decimal codes of length between 8 and 20 may be used to represent all the parameters required to be provided to mobile phone
10. In general cases it is expected that decimal codes of length around 40 to 60
will be required to specify all the parameters in full.
It will be appreciated that the structuring and compression of the
parameters required achieves a form of encryption in itself. However, known
techniques of lossless encryption may also be used by the encoding algorithm
to generate a decimal code. For example, individual decimals may be mapped
uniquely in a one-to-one mapping to other decimals, and neighbouring
decimals in a decimal number may be combined together in turn (with the final
decimal being added to the first decimal) to generate an encrypted decimal
number. Furthermore, compression techniques may be applied to the decimal
number as a whole, rather than to each data block individually as has been
described above, thus resulting in further reduction of the length of decimal
number required to provision mobile phone 10.
The encoding may be performed by a suitable data processing device
such as a PC taking as its input the various parameters required and producing
as an output the decimal code. For the decimal code to be used for
provisioning mobile phone 10, a corresponding decoding algorithm may be
included in the application program operated by mobile phone 10. For
example, the decoding algorithm may be included in the WAP browser
application operated by mobile phone 10. Thus, a decimal code representing
required parameters may be entered into mobile phone 10 and decoded into the
various parameters by the browser application. Figure 3a to f show a user interface of mobile phone 10 for entering
decimal codes according to the present invention. Figure 3a shows a screen
100 and a keypad 102 of mobile phone 10. Screen 100 presents to a user of
mobile phone 10 a standard menu option for selecting one of five profiles for
accessing remote data resources such as WAP services or content. By selecting
Profile 1 using keypad 102 the user is presented with a screen as shown in
Figure 3b. In Figure 3b screen 100 presents three options to a user to be
performed in respect of Profile 1. Firstly the user may activate the profile (if
one has been stored) and thereby access the remote data resource thereby
provisioned. Secondly, the user may configure Profile 1 with new parameters
for accessing the remote data resource (if no profile has been prestored).
Thirdly, the user may edit previously stored profile settings. By selecting the
"Configure" menu option, the user is presented with a configuration menu
screen such as shown in Figure 3 c. Figure 3 c shows two options that may be
performed in respect of Profile 1. Firstly, the user may enter a Service Code in
accordance with the present invention. Alternatively, the user may use a
Configuration Wizard to manually, and more laboriously, enter each of the
required parameters one by one. By selecting the "Enter Service Code" option
the user is presented with a screen as shown in Figure 3d. Using the keypad,
the user enters the decimal code according to the present invention and selects
"OK" when finished. Mobile phone 10 may then present a screen such as
shown in Figure 3e indicating that a new service setting has been saved in
Profile 1 and querying whether user would like to activate the profile. If, however, a checksum such as shown in data block 90 has been used and an
error has been detected in the service code entered by the user, a screen such as
shown in Figure 3f may be presented to the user, indicating that an error has
been detected in the code entered.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the decimal codes
used to provision mobile phone 10 may be divided into two or more decimal
numbers separated by a suitable separating character such as a dot. In a further
embodiment of the present invention, the code generated by the encoding
algorithm is an alphanumeric code such as a hexadecimal code, an alphabetic-
only code or a full alphanumeric code rather than a decimal code. This clearly
results in a shortening of the number of characters required to represent the
same communication settings. However, the alphanumeric characters are less
suited to entry using a numeric keypad of a communications device such as a
mobile phone.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the decimal code, or
alphanumeric code, may be used by the communications device to access a
server for obtaining the various parameters required to access the remote data
resource. The server comprises a pre-configured database mapping the decimal
or alphanumeric codes to the various parameters required to be provided. In
response to a service request message received from the communications
device including the code, the server provides the various parameters required
to access the remote data resource. In a variant of this embodiment, the server
may use a decoding algorithm as described above to generate the parameters required, rather than a database. In a further variant, the communications
device itself is pre-configured with a database mapping the decimal or
alphanumeric codes to the various parameters required. The database may be
present in the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) of a communications device or
in a data store of the communications device itself. Thus, in all three variants
of this embodiment of the present invention, the communications device need
not use a decoding algorithm to obtain the required parameters on the basis of
the code. Furthermore, in the two cases using a database, no encoding needs be
performed.
It will be understood that the present invention is not limited to
provisioning WAP-enabled mobile phones with parameters for accessing
remote data resources using GSM/SMS or GSM/CSD. The present invention
is applicable to provisioning any data processing device, whether wired or
wireless, and whether fixed or mobile, with parameters for accessing remote
data resources using any type of data network, whether circuit-switched (such
as a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)) or packet-switched (such as
an Internet Protocol (IP) network) and whether fixed or cellular (such as GSM
networks or Personal Handyphone System (PHS) networks), and any bearer
service supported by the data network. For example, GSM networks will
shortly be able to use High Speed Circuit-Switched Data (HSCSD),
Unstructured Supplementary Services Data (USSD) and General Packet Radio
Service (GPRS) as bearers. Furthermore, third generation cellular networks
such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (UMTS) and other systems whether based on time division multiple access (TDMA) or code
division multiple access (CDMA) will also be suitable for application of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A method of providing a data processing device with a plurality
of parameters, the parameters being for use in the data processing device
accessing a remote data resource, the method comprising the following steps:
a) entering a data string into the data processing device using a
human-machine interface of the data processing device ;
b) the data processing device obtaining the plurality of parameters
on the basis of the data string,
c) storing the plurality of parameters in a data store accessible to
the data processing device.
2. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the data
string comprises an single alphanumeric data string.
3. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the data
string comprises a single decimal number or a plurality of decimal numbers
separated by a non-numeric character.
4. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the data
string comprises one or more of the plurality of parameters encoded using an
encoding algorithm.
5. A method according to any preceding claim when dependent on
claim 4, wherein the encoding algorithm compresses the size of data required
to represent the one or more parameters encoded.
6. A method according to any preceding claim when dependent on
claim 4, wherein the encoding algorithm encrypts the data representing the one
or more parameters encoded.
7. A method according to any preceding claim when dependent on
claim 4, wherein the one or more of the plurality of parameters may be
obtained from the data string by decoding at least part of the data string using a
decoding algorithm.
8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the data processing
device is adapted to decode at least part of the data string using the decoding
algorithm.
9. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the
plurality of parameters includes an identifier corresponding to the remote data
resource.
10. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the
plurality of parameters includes a name for identifying the plurality of
parameters.
11. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the
plurality of parameters includes an identifier corresponding to a gateway or
proxy through which access to the remote data resource may be provided.
12. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the
plurality of parameters includes an identifier corresponding to an interface to a
service provider through which access to the remote data resource may be
provided.
13. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the data
string comprises a data element for validating the data string.
14. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the data
processing device is a mobile communications device.
15. A computer program for performing the method of any
preceding claim.
16. A data processing device adapted to be provisioned with the
plurality of parameters in accordance with the method of any of claims 1 to 14.
17. A method of providing a data processing device with one or
more parameters, the parameters being for use in the data processing device
accessing a remote data resource, the data string comprising at least one of the
parameters encoded using an encoding algorithm, the method comprising the
following steps:
a) entering a data string into the data processing device using a
human-machine interface of the data processing device ;
b) the data processing device obtaining the one or more parameters
on the basis of the data string,
c) storing the one or more parameters in a data store accessible to
the data processing device.
18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the data string
comprises a data element for validating the data string.
19. A method according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the data
processing device is a mobile communications device.
20. A computer program for performing the method of any of
claims 17 to 19.
21. A data processing device adapted to be provisioned with the one
or more parameters in accordance with the method of any of claims 17 to 19.
22. A method of encoding one or more parameters for inclusion in
at least part of a data string, the data string being for user input into a data
processing device, the one or more parameters being for use in the data
processing device accessing a remote data resource, the encoding being
performed using an encoding algorithm.
23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the data processing
device is adapted to decode at least part of the data string using a decoding
algorithm.
24. A method according to claim 22 or any preceding claim when
dependent on claim 22, wherein the encoding algorithm reduces the size of data
required to represent the one or more parameters.
25. A method according to claim 22 or any preceding claim when
dependent on claim 22, wherein the encoding algorithm encrypts the data
representing the one or more parameters.
26. A method according to claim 22 or any preceding claim when
dependent on claim 22, wherein the data string comprises a data element for
validating the data string.
27. A method of decoding at least part of a data string to obtain one
or more parameters, the data string being for user input into a data processing
device, the one or more parameters being for use in the data processing device
accessing a remote data resource, the decoding being performed using a
decoding algorithm.
28. A method according to claim 27, wherein the data processing
device is adapted to decode at least part of the data string using the decoding
algorithm.
29. A method according to claim 27 or any preceding claim when
dependent on claim 27, wherein the decoding algorithm enlarges the size of
data required to represent the one or more parameters.
30. A method according to claim 27 or any preceding claim when
dependent on claim 27, wherein the decoding algorithm decrypts the data
representing the one or more parameters.
31. A method according to claim 27 or any preceding claim when
dependent on claim 27, wherein the decoding algorithm checks the validity of
the data string using a data element comprised in the data string.
32. A method according to claim 22 or claim 27 or any preceding
claim when dependent on claim 22 or claim 27, wherein the data string
comprises a single alphanumeric data string.
33. A method according to claim 22 or claim 27 or any preceding
claim when dependent on claim 22 or claim 27, wherein the data string
comprises a single decimal number or a plurality of decimal numbers separated
by a non-numeric character.
34. A method according to claim 22 or claim 27 or any preceding
claim when dependent on claim 22 or claim 27, wherein the one or more
parameters includes an identifier corresponding to the remote data resource.
35. A method according to claim 22 or claim 27 or any preceding
claim when dependent on claim 22 or claim 27, wherein the one or more
parameters includes a name for identifying the plurality of parameters.
36. A method according to claim 22 or claim 27 or any preceding
claim when dependent on claim 22 or claim 27, wherein the one or more parameters includes an identifier corresponding to a gateway or proxy through
which access to the remote data resource may be provided.
37. A method according to claim 22 or claim 27 or any preceding
claim when dependent on claim 22 or claim 27, wherein the one or more
parameters includes an identifier corresponding to an interface to a service
provider through which access to the remote data resource may be provided.
38. A method according to claim 22 or claim 27 or any preceding
claim when dependent on claim 22 or claim 27, wherein the data processing
device is a mobile communications device.
39. A computer program for performing the method of claim 22 or
claim 27 or any preceding claim when dependent on claim 22 or claim 27.
40. Apparatus adapted to perform the method of claim 22 or claim
27 or any preceding claim when dependent on claim 22 or claim 27.
41. A method of accessing a remote data resource using a data
processing device, the method comprising the following steps:
a) entering a data string into the data processing device using a
human-machine interface of the data processing device; b) the data processing device obtaining a plurality of parameters on the basis of the data string, the parameters being for use in the data processing device accessing a remote data resource,
c) accessing the remote data resource using the obtained parameters.
42. A computer program for performing the method of claim 41.
43. Apparatus adapted to perform the method of claim 41.
PCT/GB2001/003971 2000-09-05 2001-09-05 Data communications WO2002021233A2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
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Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0021808A GB2366700A (en) 2000-09-05 2000-09-05 User configuration of a data processing device
GB0021808.1 2000-09-05

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WO2002021233A3 WO2002021233A3 (en) 2002-07-18

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FR2863425B1 (en) * 2003-12-04 2006-02-10 Gemplus Card Int METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC DEVICE CONFIGURATION IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK
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GB0021808D0 (en) 2000-10-18
GB2366700A (en) 2002-03-13
AU2001284266A1 (en) 2002-03-22

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