Patent ID: 6377670
Filing Date: 2002-04-23
Classification: H04L,H04M

Abstract:
A method enabling a telecommunications operator to quickly identify and reliably debit subscribers to a telephone network, the method comprising:the telecommunications operator provides each subscriber with a subscriber card, the same size as a credit card, customized by identifiers specific to each subscriber and to each subscriber card; said card: counts the number of times C(p,n) the subscriber uses the card by pressing a button; a emits acoustic identification signals varying each time that said card has been used and representing the number of times C(p,n) that said card has been used; and at least partly encrypts acoustic signals as a function of the number of times C(p,n) that said card has been used; acoustic identification signals are received by a microphone in a telephone handset and are converted into electrical signals before being transmitted through a communications network to a computer service of the telecommunications operator, said computer service comprising a computer means; the transmitted signals and the subscriber and subscriber card identification data stored by the computer service of the telecommunications operator are methoded and electronically compared by said computer means of said telecommunications operator's computer service; said computer means for methoding and electronically comparing the transmitted signals and the subscriber and card identification data held by the computer service of the telecommunications operator: stores the number of times C(p,m) that the card has been used at the time of the last validated operation; compares the number of times C(p,n) that the card has been used at the time of the current operation, with the memorized number of times C(p,m); refuses the current operation if C(p,n) is less than or equal to C(p,m) and continues verifying the current operation if C(p,n) is greater than C(p,m); and recalculates the electronic signals S'(p,n) as a function of identification data and the number of times C(p,n) that the card was used, during the current operation, and then compares them with the transmitted electronic signals S(p,n), so that if the values agree, the subscriber may then immediately be connected to the services of the telecommunications operator.