DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The Invention pertains to the method to achieve protection of the transaction in SMS communication between an M2M device in a self-service machine and a central operating system, surveillance system or a system of another work aspect in a remote location through public mobile GSM network.

Classification according to the International Patent Classification (IPC):

H 04 L - transmission of digital information

H 04 M - telephonic communication

H 04 J - multiplex communication.

Technical Problem

So far a technical solution which allows a successful transaction execution between a central system and an M2M device in a self-service machine in such a way that a method ensuring unambiguity of transaction is used in only two or more steps of transaction execution in an M2M system has not been developed yet. For this reason, in case of late delivery or impossibility of delivery of one or more SMS messages, the central system was not able to distinguish unambiguously which transaction is the one that the SMS response message refers to. This situation causes several problems, such as transaction closure exceeding a determined time frame (time out), which undermines positive user experience due to the long waiting time of the SMS response message, or impossibility to use the requested service. On the other hand, the Service provider experiences a problem when the device enables the use of a service that the user will not be charged for.

State of the art

The currently known method of communication between a central system and an M2M device through SMS messaging in the public GSM network does not dispose of a developed method which ensures unambiguity of the transaction and/or a method ensuring that the transaction is not executable on the M2M device in a self-service machine or on the central system independently. Essence of the Invention

The primary purpose of the Invention is achieving protection of SMS communication between a central system and an M2M device in a self-service machine and thus improve the quality of communication and ensure unambiguous and timely transaction closures in the M2M system.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is the method of protection of transaction in SMS communication between a central system and an M2M device using the example of SMS-based billing of self-service machine use.

Figure 2 is the communication between an M2M device in a self-service machine and the SMS centre in the public GSM network via base station.

Figure 3 is the construction and the basic elements of an M2M device which will be embedded in the self-service machine.

Detailed Description of Implementation of the Invention

The detailed description of implementation is shown on the example of payments and use of services provided by self-service machines with embedded M2M device:

User sends an SMS message through mobile operator's public GSM network to the service operator's SMS centre requesting use of self-service machine. User enters the unique number of the device that one wishes to use, and the predefined service value (package type or amount) into the text message.

The central system receives the request for service usage from the user through SMS message and generates a UTI (unique transaction identifier) code, which is forwarded to all elements of the system and through all steps of the transaction until the transaction closure (end) on the central system.

By the presented method of protection of transaction execution, the M2M device for billing self- service machine usage, the„SMS coin acceptor", receives an SMS message containing the amount to be spent on the self-service machine, the unique transaction identifier (UTI) and the time stamp.

The M2M device verifies the content of the SMS message and executes request for service usage. During verification the M2M examines whether the SMS containing order for usage arrived in the predefined time frame, by verifying the value in the time stamp of the SMS message with Real Time Clock (RTC) and the defined value of the time frame. In case the SMS message containing order for use of self-service machine arrived to the M2M device exceeding the predefined time frame, the M2M device sends an SMS message containing status code (time out) and UTI number to the mobile operator's SMS centre. In this way, a correct transaction closure is ensured in the central system, as well as non-execution of the transaction, that is, of the usage of the self-service machine, without the approval and/or knowledge of the central system. In case of correct usage of the self-service machine, the M2M device sends an SMS message containing status code (time out) and UTI number to the mobile operator's SMS centre. In this way a correct transaction closure is ensured in the central system, as well as billing real usage of the self-service machine to the user by the service operator, charging the GSM mobile phone user's account.

Implementation of the Invention

The Invention can be implemented in all new and existing systems where transactions are executed, and communication between the billing system and the M2M device is realized through SMS messages. The Invention is applied in such a way that the above mechanism (described under Detailed Description of Implementation of the Invention) is incorporated in the SMS communication between the central billing system and the M2M device. Implementation of the present Invention ensures unambiguity of transaction, which prevents errors in transactions, which is hereby presented as the technical problem.

Listing of call signs

11 - GSM phone of the user

12 - SMS centre of the mobile operator

13 - Central system of the service operator

14 - M2M device in the self-service machine

15 - Self-service machine

21 - Central system of the service operator

22 - Base station of the mobile operator

23 - M2M device in the self-service machine

24 - Incoming and outgoing SMS message

Listing of abbreviations

GSM - Global System for Mobile Communications

M2M - Machine-to-machine

RTC - Real Time Clock

SIM - Subscriber identity module (SIM kartica)

SMS - Short Message Service