Title: "Process of recognition and identification of a minor when using telephone apparatuses employing Subscriber Identity Modules or SIMs"

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The present invention has as an object a Process of recognition and identification of a minor when using telephone apparatuses employing the so-called SIMs.

The present invention is mainly intended to pro-

tect minors when using cellular phones or mobile and fixed telecommunication apparatuses also acting video cellular phones or the like employing Subscriber Identity Modules (SIM) .

Statistical data confirm what parents already know, that is that children love cellular phones. Generally, more than a half of children from 9 to 10 years have one . With respect to the wonderful opportunities offered by cellular phones it should be noted that a last generation model in the hands of a schoolboy is potentially a "Trojan horse" that brings into minor lives what should be kept far from them, that is pornography and the danger of coming into contact with pedophiles.

The main purpose of the present invention is to

allow everybody to know if their interlocutor is a

minor or an adult, while assuring the identification of the caller. From that follow all penal responsibilities of the caller using the SIM as an identification of the minor or adult. The expression "phone cellular apparatuses" indicates all those apparatuses, both fixed or mobile, designed for telephone communication or radio- diffusion of data or voice, which allow access to data communication networks, provided with a Sub- scriber Identity Module or a SIM card, employing standard GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) , CDMA2000, GPRS, UMTS, GPRS/EDGE, GSM by the use of a Dual Transfer Mode protocol or other standards of future generation. Therefore, there are in- eluded both mobile and fixed cellular phones and all apparatuses having a functionality as modem or link to communication networks using the communication standards listed below:

1. OG: radio phones used before the advent of cellular phones

2. IG: (1st generation): standard TACS (Total Access Communication System) , ETACS (TACS extended by adding new frequencies) , AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone System) , and NMT (Nordic Mobile Telephone system) - analogue cellular phones

3. 2G: (2nd generation): standard GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) , CDMA IS-95 and D- AMPS IS-136 - first digital cellular phones

4. 2.5G: standard GPRS (General Packet Radio System) - high-speed digital cellular phones for transmitting data

5. 2.75G: standard EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) - faster version of GPRS standard for transferring data on the GSM cellular network 6. 3G: (3rd generation): standard UMTS (Universal Mobile Telephone System) , Widebrand CDMA (W- CDMA) , CDMA 2000 - video cellular phones o 3GPP (3rd

Generation Partnership Project) cellular phones

7. 4G: (forth generation): standard VSF-Spread OFDM (Variable-Spreading-Factor Spread Orthogonal

Frequency Division Multiplexing)

8. xG: future standards allowing both voice and data wireless or broadcast transmission, not only for transmitting voice but also for transmitting and ex- changing data on communication networks.

One of the most important and featuring components of the GSM system is the so-called SIM, acronym of Subscriber Identity Module, also said SIM card. The SIM card is a removable memory card on which the

subscriber's identification data are stored, includ-

ing his/her telephone number. Transferring the SIM card from one telephone to another, all the information about the subscription can be preserved. Moreover, the subscriber can even change telephone com- pany keeping his/her phone and simply changing the SIM card. Particularly it aims to identify a minor user/owner and subsequently inform everyone who forwards or receives a call, transmitting both voice or data, that the user/owner is a minor. Therefore, the main problems addressed by the present invention are:

1 - Identification of the minor who uses telecommunication apparatuses or data communication apparatuses allowing both voice and image transmission; 2 - Availability of information regarding the

fact that the user who is employing (user/owner) a cellular phone (as defined above) is a minor;

3 - Application of all technical precautions, defined below, to protect minors. According to the invention, in order to identify a minor, first of all it should be formalized a process to distinguish firstly between a subscriber and a user/owner of the SIM or better of a minor number (a "Childkey Number"), or better of a differentiated SIM. The minor's identification occurs if the

user/owner of the telephone number, or better of the SIM card containing that telephone number, is a person who is under 18 years of age, that is a minor. The process to assign and associate the minor number, herein defined Childkey Number from the Childkey technology already in use for the Internet, is de- scriber below (see fig. 1) . Private stage identification

The release request for a Childkey Number or Childkey differentiated SIM is done and must be done by an adult (subscriber) on behalf of a minor who is under his/her parental authority, or by a guardian or

someone else in authority.

The request to the telephone company imposes a verification of such an authority. Then a SIM (Child- key Differentiated SIM) having a number, the Childkey Number, is released, and although the contract is signed by an adult, the number is defined as a number owned by a minor. The relevant database is created and the number is entered into the Childkey Number Database.

Such a stage, defined as private, does not affect the communications between telephone or videotelephone or VOIP subjects and users, but anyway it allows, independently of the public stage, the use of

set precautions or privileges fixed and/or required by the adult for telephone calls. Public stage identification

Such a stage allows the invention to inform the telecommunications subjects or users about the category to which the subject they are communicating with belongs. Everyone is thus unambiguously informed that the subject is a minor. Such a result is achieved by informing and making it public that the called or caller number is a Childkey Number.

Mode of informing that the telephone number belongs to a minor

1 - Minor identification alphanumeric prefix

It presupposes the release, by telephone compa- nies, of SIM cards (Childkey Differentiated SIM) and/or telephone apparatuses whose telephone number is provided with a specific prefix dedicated for minor users. The prefix has the function to identify

the minor. The alphanumeric prefix can be added by placing it before the Mobile Station ISDN Number or can be part of it, or alternatively can be placed before the country code .

As an example, number 35 could be used as prefix for minors as follows:

Telephone company 1 :

International dialing code + minor prefix 35 + UXJUTJUUUUUU (numbering) Telephone company 2 : International dialing code + minor prefix 35 + TTTTTTTTT (numbering)

Such a telephone numbering in which the prefix has the function to identify the minor has the same effects both for the telephone companies, that should provide minor suitable services, and for those people who would like to interact with the owner of said telephone number by means of SMS, MMS (where already an astonishing number of pornographic images are circulating) , who are thus aware of the identity of the contents' addressee.

The telephone number with its alphanumeric prefix thus becomes a way to identify the minor who makes use of it. (See fig. 2) .

COMPOSITION OF A NUMBER WITH A PREFIX Numberings have the following structure with a

country code N:

1. in case of one-digit prefix:

N X UUUUUUUUUU, X = 0.9; * ; # and U = 0.9

2. in case of two-digits prefix: N XX UUUUUUUUUU, XX = 0.99; *; # and U = 0.9

3. in case of three-digits prefix:

N XXX UUUUUUUUUU, XXX = 0.999; * ; # and U = 0.9

4. in case of four-digits prefix:

N XXXX UUUUUUUUUU, XXXX = 0.9999; *; # and U = 0.9

5. in case of five-digits prefix:

N XXXXX UUUUUUUUUU, XXXXX = 0.99999; *; # and U = 0.9

The number of Us can vary and depends on the num- bering plan assigned by the Authorities or technologically available.

On the contrary, if one wants to place the alphanumeric prefix identifying the minor before the country code, the following non-exhaustive exemplary cases can occur:

- XX N UUUUUUUUUU, XX = 0,99; * ; # and U = 0,9; for example: 1* +39 3484527062

- XXX N UUUUUUUUUU, XXX = 0,999; *; # and U = 0,9; for example: #1# +39 3484527062 2 - Minor identification alphanumeric suffix.

The same result of identifying a minor is obtained by adding a known suffix to the telephone number. Said suffix can be added to the MSISDN or being part of it. Taking as an example the extensions, an extension can be exclusively assigned to minors, e.g.

extensions from 350 to 399. That is feasible particularly in VOIP (Voice over IP) telecommunications, in which the software has or can have the function of a telephone exchange. Since a call is made anyway by using a usual telephone number, the answerer could ask to dial the extension and, if the extension coincides with those numbers classified as minor extension, inform the caller that he/she is in direct communication with a minor, even if it is known that such a suffix is exclusively assigned to minors (see fig. 3) .

1 - Country international dialing code

2 - Initial numbers of the minor telephone number

3 - Suffix for minors. Alternative solution

COMPOSITION OF A NUMBER WITH A SUFFIX Numberings have the following structure with a country code N:

1. in case of one-digit suffix: N UUUUUUUUUU X, X = 0.9; * ; # and U = 0.9

2. in case of two-digits suffix:

N UUUUUUUUUU XX, XX = 0.99; *; # and U = 0.9

3. in case of three-digits suffix:

N UUUUUUUUUU XXX, XXX = 0.999; * ; # and U = 0.9

4. in case of four-digits suffix:

N UUUUUUUUUU XXXX, XXXX = 0.9999; *; # and U = 0.9 5. in case of five-digits suffix:

N UUUUUUUUUU XXXXX, XXXXX = 0.99999; *; # and U = 0.9

The number of Us can vary and depends on the numbering plan assigned by the Authorities or technologically available.

3- Assignment of an extension (fig. 4) The assignment of an extension implies the use of an alphanumeric suffix that is made known to everybody, including the competent Authorities. The composition of the minor number simply requires specifying a single extension dedicated only to users/owners un- der 18 years age (see fig 4) .

1 - Country international dialing code

2 - Telephone number

3 - Extension for minors . Alternative solution COMPOSITION OF A NUMBER WITH AN EXTENSION

Numberings have the following structure with a country code N and an X digit for the extension: 1. in case of one-digit extension:

N UUUUUUUUUU X, X = 0.9; * ; # and U = 0.9 2. in case of two-digits extension:

N UUUUUUUUUU XX, XX = 0.99; * ; # and U = 0.9

3. in case of three-digits extension:

N UUUUUUUUUU XXX, XXX = 0.999; * ; # and U = 0.9

4. in case of four-digits extension:

N UUUUUUUUUU XXXX, XXXX = 0.9999; *; # and U =

0.9

5. in case of five-digits extension:

N UUUUUUUUUU XXXXX, XXXXX = 0.99999; * ; # and U =

0.9

The number of Us can vary and depends on the num¬

bering plan assigned by the Authorities or techno¬

logically available.

Fig. 4 shows how the number is composed.

1 - Country code - for Italy +39

2- Telephone number indicating the extension for mi¬

nors

3 - Childkey Number extension, with dedicated exten¬

sion comprised of one or more digits/characters.

The extension can be also requested to an auto-

matic answerer that asks to dial the extension.

Examples :

a) +39 3484527062.35

b) +39 3484527062. #1

4 - Assignment of an answerer connecting to the minor

(fig. 5)

A direct communication with a minor can be also made known by an automatic vocal answerer. Fig. 5 shows how the number is composed.

1 - Receiving a call intended for a minor number 2 - The telephone company activates the automatic answerer connecting to the minor

3 - Checking the presence of the caller ID and transferring the call to the minor only if the caller ID is indicated. In case of SMS or MMS, the answerer function is performed by a message informing that the SMS or MMS will be forwarded to a minor number.

Figure 8 shows a flow chart of the control applied to a voice call, a data call or the like made to a minor by means of the alphanumeric prefix and/or suffix and/or extension or a combination thereof.

The above said control can be performed at any point of the PLMN network, being it GSM, UMTS or oth¬

ers of future generation. Benefits of the present invention

The positive effects for minor protection are

numberless. A number associated to a minor can generate a set of controls and precautions both by the telephone company and the callers or receivers of

calls from a minor, that are easy to guess.

Compulsory ID-caller or caller number

The telephone numbers associated to a minor do not allow receiving calls from anonyms or private calls. The consequence is the identification of the subject who communicates with the minor. As a consequence, the minor is protected, from the penal point of view, from any action violating his rights. Obviously, it is unlikely that someone, after identification, decides to commit an offence against a minor. Common benefits

1 - Control of time periods and times of usage

2 - Differentiated rates for minors

3 - Setting of a maximum expense limit for the number associated with the minors 4 - Bounding of the whole family to the telephone company, while nowadays in the presence of various children the telephone company is not obviously shared

5 - Specific services for minors, requested or denied by an adult, could be activated or deactivated Benefits with respect to video cellular phones

1 - The use of a number dedicated to minors could consequently cause the automatic activation of a "parental control" with respect to satellite or televi- sion channels diffusing on video cellular phones, as

a function of the age of the minor using that minor telephone number.

Benefits for Internet connections

1 - The use of the minor telephone number could consequently lead to the possibility to activate a minor protection such as Childkey Differentiated Surfing™ or other system for filtering contents or the like, by means of the cellular phone or other mobile apparatus provided with a Childkey Number or Childkey Differentiated SIM. Responsibility

The main benefit is certainly the penal responsibility of those who forward contents unfit for Child- key Differentiated SIMs identified by the public pre- fix, and who could not invoke their unawareness of the minor age of the interlocutor. Services

The services already offered by Childkey Differentiated Surfing™ are also applicable. Benefits for mobile telephone companies

- A new and innovative service, which is ethic

and surely welcome to families

- Possibility to make out a single invoice for the family with reference to the main SIM card which has applied for the release of the Childkey Differen-

tiated SIM

- Granting of the minor privacy, since the adult does not declare the minor name to the telephone com¬

pany, the adult being responsible anyway for what he/she declared

- Saving the cost of pre-paid cards and their distribution .

Benefits for families

- Minor penal protection - Greater control of expenses

- Possibility to control telephone traffic

- Possible cost reduction for telephone traffic to and from minors

The opportunities offered by the present inven- tion are numberless, such as:

1. Possibility to associate a number not to the user/subscriber (who must be able to subscribe and cannot thus be a minor) but to the owner/user

2. If the owner/user is a minor, possibility to identifying him/her as a minor by means of the number assigned to the user, defined Childkey Number

3. Possibility to make it known that the number is associated to a minor owner/user by means of a prefix

4. Possibility to make it known that the number

is associated to a minor owner/user by means of a suffix

5. Possibility to make it known that the number is associated to a minor owner/user by means of an extension

6. Possibility to make it known that the number is associated to a minor owner/user by means of an automatic answerer

7. Possibility to inform the sender of an SMS or MMS intended to a number associated to a minor owner/user, by means of an SMS saying that the message is intended to a minor and other useful informa¬

tion

8. Possibility to use the modes of points 3 to 6 in a combined way

9. Possibility to activate a call blocking (both on demand by the user/subscriber and the telephone company by default) for incoming calls when lacking a caller ID or a caller number or a number identifying

the caller

10. Possibility to avoid call transfer by the telephone company for incoming calls lacking a caller

ID (incoming calls blocking)

11. Possibility to activate an automatic answerer informing that the user does not accept anonymous

calls or calls lacking a caller ID

12. Possibility to avoid transfer of incoming calls (incoming calls blocking) if lacking a caller ID, by a reception or transmission apparatus (modem, router) provided with a SIM card or not, both cabled and wireless, by means of a software installed within said reception and/or transmission apparatus

13. Possibility to control the enabled time periods for both incoming and outgoing calls, being them voice or data calls (SMS, MMS, WAP or the like) disregarding the fact that the user and/or owner is an adult or a minor

14. Possibility to set a maximum expense for telephone costs of the Childkey number owner/user, being he/she a minor or an adult

15. Possibility for the subscriber to recharge also all users/owners associated to said subscriber and, if specified, within the expense limits of point

14 16. Possibility for the subscriber to have only one invoice for telephone traffic comprising also the telephone traffic of all the users/owners associated to said subscriber

17. Possibility to automatically activate a pa- rental control when the user and/or owner of the

Childkey number is a minor, in case of apparatuses receiving television or broadcast transmissions via satellite or terrestrial digital or other way, and containing a Childkey SIM card 18. Possibility to set expense brackets for telephone calls as a function of the age of the Childkey number owner and/or user

19. Possibility to charge the subscriber for all calls made by the user/owner and intended to the sub- scriber (collect call) , automatically or not

20. Possibility, upon reaching the expense limit allowed to the user/owner (see point 14) , to charge the caller for calls made and received by the subscriber or by other numbers specified by the sub- scriber, automatically or not

21. Possibility to create a database containing all prefixes and/or suffixes identifying a minor having a Childkey number associated with him/her, which is comprised of: prefix and/or suffix and dialing code of the country of use

22. Possibility to set a list of numbers enabled

for outgoing calls 24/24h

23. Possibility to set a list of numbers enabled for incoming calls 24/24h 24. Possibility to set a list of numbers not en-

abled for incoming calls 24/24h

25. Possibility to apply Differentiated Surfing™ to Internet connections by means of a Childkey Number

26. Possibility for the user/subscriber to en- able/disable reception and/or sending of SMS by the owner and/or user having a Childkey Number

27. Possibility for the user/subscriber to set a maximum number of SMS that the owner and/or user having a Childkey Number can send or forward 28. Possibility for the user/subscriber to enable/disable reception and/or sending of MMS by the owner and/or user having a Childkey Number

29. Possibility for the user/subscriber to set a maximum number of MMS that the owner and/or user hav- ing a Childkey Number can send or forward

30. Possibility to perform a single recharge for the subscriber, which is available also for the users/owners associated to the subscriber

31. Possibility for the subscriber to have only one invoice or note comprising the traffic costs of the users/owners associated to the subscriber

32. Automatic deactivation of the Childkey Number when the user/owner reaches the age of legal majority

33. Automatic process for releasing a new number 34. Possibility to set a contractual time period

up to the age of legal majority of the user/owner of a Childkey SIM card or the assignee of a Chidkey Number. The reason is that the cost of a Chidkey Number license is mostly subsidized by the subscription earnings and its transferability depends on the licensee

35. Possibility to use for statistical, advertising, informative purposes or the like those data regarding the belonging to the minor category deriv- ing from owing a Childkey SIM card

36. Possibility for the Subscriber to credit 'money to the user/owner by sending an SMS to the telephone company or to the credit card corporation specifying the telephone number to credit and, op- tionally, the credit card corporation if different from that used by the subscriber, and the sum of money, obtaining an acknowledgement of the positive or negative result of the payment order by the telephone company or the credit card corporation that re-

ceived the SMS (fig. 7 and 8)

37. Possibility to activate the automatic answerer connecting to a minor when the caller or the call is an international one

38. Possibility for the telephone company to credit back the money received by a subscriber for

another user and/or owner on the subscriber's current account or credit card or the like

39. Possibility, in the presence of a Chilkey SIM card or a Childkey Number, to associate a GSM Global Positional System to detect the position on terrestrial globe, including longitude e latitude, of the apparatus provided with a Childkey SIM card

40. Possibility to associate the prefix of point

3 also to the number system for Voice over IP tech- nology (definition: the set of protocols, technologies and infrastructures of the network, including packet switching with the Internet Protocol, used to provide a voice communication service, also integrated with data, sound or images, added value ser- vices, resource and information real-time sharing services, which can allow inter-operability with conventional telephone networks

41. Possibility to associate the suffix of point

4 also to the number system for Voice over IP tech-

nology

42. Possibility to associate the extension of point 5 also to the number system for Voice over IP

technology

43. Possibility to associate the answerer of point 6 also to the number system for Voice over IP

technology

44. Possibility to perform all internet transactions by means of the process described at point 36. It would be sufficient to specify on the web pages the telephone number to credit, being sure that it is non feasible by a minor.

which is made known to everybody, and associating the user/owner number by means of an alphanumeric suffix or prefix or internal answerer or SMS message or a combination of the above; h) composing of the minor number, which is simply performed specifying a suffix or prefix or internal answerer or SMS message or a combination of the above, which will be dedicated only to minor users/owners; i) ascertaining and choosing to make it known that the user/owner is a minor; j ) choosing to make it known that the user/owner is a minor and relevant modes of assignment of the public minor number; k) activating privileges for controlling both

data and voice transmissions intended to a minor number;

1) activating privileges for controlling both

data and voice transmissions intended to a minor num- ber which is not known as a minor number; and m) creating a database comprising users/owners of

minor telephone numbers or Childkey numbers .

2. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that the prefix is used to identify an adult, while the suffix identifies a minor, or vice versa,