ROAMING RELOAD MANAGER METHOD AND DEVICES

Abstract: A home location register of one of many mobile radio networks (2a, 2b, 2c), and, in response to reception of a first reload request (S2) including a value code associated with a first mobile radio network (2c) and an identification of a mobile communication terminal (4) to be credited, registered in a home location register of a second mobile radio network (2a), to act as a first proxy mobile communication terminal (12c) registered in a home location register of the first mobile radio network (2c) and to transmit a second reload request (S5) including a value code associated with the first mobile radio network (2c) and an identification of the first proxy mobile communication terminal (12c) over the communication channel (10c) to a first reload unit (6c) associated with the first mobile radio network (2c), and to act as a second proxy mobile communication terminal (12a) registered in a home location register of the second mobile radio network (2a) and to transmit a third reload request (S10) including a proxy value code associated with the second mobile radio network (2a) and the identification of the mobile communication terminal (4) to be credited over the communication channel (10a) to a second reload unit (6a) associated with the second mobile radio network (2a).

Description: ROAMING RELOAD MANAGER METHOD AND DEVICES Technical Field The present invention relates to a method and devices for loading and reloading an account assigned to a mobile communication terminal with a monetary amount. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method and devices for loading and reloading an account assigned to a mobile communication terminal with a monetary amount, whereas a reload request including a value code and an identification of the mobile communication terminal are transmitted over a communication channel to a computerised reload unit and whereas the reload unit transfers a monetary amount corresponding to the value code to the account assigned to the identified mobile communication terminal. Background Art The loading or reloading of prepaid credits onto chipcards assigned to mobile communication terminals is generally known. Described in the patent application EP 827 119 A1 is a method for loading or reloading a chipcard with a monetary amount value. According to the method described in EP 827 119 A1 , the sale value of a value card available at a great many public points of sale is loaded or reloaded on a particular chipcard, in particular a SIM card (Subscriber Identification Module) after a value code, located on this value card, has been transmitted to a service centre. Such value cards are also known as so-called prepaid cards. An alternative method for loading of telephone cards for mobile radio telephones with a value card is described in the patent application EP 848 537 A1. According to the method described in EP 848 537 A1 , the sale of a telephone card, in particular a SIM card, is registered in a customer database, and the prepaid telephone card is only activated after the user enters a secret number, defined by him, upon making the first telephone call. The credit amount is not stored on the card, but rather in an account. To reload the card credit, the user calls a service number and enters, in addition to the secret number, a credit card number or a value code of a BESTATIGUNGSKOPIE value card, whereupon the account is increased by a reload amount. Value cards with value codes loaded thereon, as are described in the patent publication 827 119 A1 , can be used in countless areas of application since the value cards with the stored value codes can be used not only for loading telephone cards or other chipcards with monetary amount values, but can also be used to obtain credit for all sorts of services that must be paid for. Such prepaid cards with value codes in the state of the art can usually be purchased at various types of points of sale such as, for instance, kiosks or other points of sale. Value codes without value cards or value cards with value codes can also be obtained at ATMs (automated teller machines) or POS (point of sale) terminals, which carry out the debiting and crediting via a bank account of the user, credit cards or prepaid cards (e.g. chipcards). However, the distribution of value codes by means of a value card as carrier has the drawback that the value codes are usually tied to a particular provider or mobile radio network operator. If a user of a mobile communication terminal, specifically a mobile radio device, is in another country, for example, and, using a prepaid value card originating there, would like to load or reload credit on his chipcard, this would not be possible. The service centre of the mobile radio network operator, with whom the user is a subscriber, does not accept the value code of the foreign mobile radio network operator, and the service centre of the foreign mobile radio network operator who issued the value card does not have permission to load or reload the account of the mobile radio device. One possibility would be to allow this through special agreements between the individual mobile radio network operators. Owing to the large and constantly growing number of mobile radio network operators worldwide, however, concluding agreements with each possible mobile radio network operator not only represents a very extensive undertaking, it would also be hardly bearable financially or from the viewpoint of time involved. Such additional costs could hardly be borne by the customers since otherwise the value cards would lose their attractiveness among customers. The production and operating costs for the value cards are typically borne by the service provider, for example the operator of a telecommunications network. The customers expect to receive services corresponding to the monetary value of the value card. Disclosure of Invention It is an object of this invention to propose a new and improved method and new and improved devices for loading and reloading an account assigned to a mobile communication terminal with a monetary amount which do not have the drawbacks described above. In particular, the users should have the possibility of being able to buy any value cards with value codes of any participating mobile radio network operator and of being able to use them for loading or reloading their accounts without having to pay attention to whether the value card or the value codes stored thereon, respectively, are issued by the mobile radio network operator through whom the mobile communication terminal or the SIM card connected thereto, respectively, is given network access, i.e. the home network. According to the present invention, these objects are achieved particularly through the features of the independent claims. In addition, further advantageous embodiments follow from the dependent claims and the description. For loading or reloading an account assigned to a mobile communication terminal with a monetary amount, a reload request including a value code, for example off a prepaid value card, and an identification of the mobile communication terminal to be credited, for example the MSISDN- number assigned to the user of that mobile communication terminal, are transmitted over a communication channel to a computerised reload unit. The reload unit transfers a monetary amount corresponding to the value code to the account assigned to the identified mobile communication terminal. According to the present invention, the above-stated objects are particularly achieved in that the initiating reload request including a value code associated with a first mobile radio network and an identification of the mobile communication terminal to be credited, registered in a home location register of a second mobile radio network, are transmitted over a communication channel to a computerised central unit. The computerised central unit transmits a second reload request including the value code associated with the first mobile radio network and an identification of a proxy mobile communication terminal, for example the MSISDN-number assigned to that proxy mobile communication terminal, registered in a home location register of the first mobile radio network, over a communication channel to a first reload unit associated with the first mobile radio network. Subsequently, the computerised central unit transmits a third reload request, for example a reload third party request, also known as an "on-behalf request", including a proxy value code associated with the second mobile radio network and the identification of the mobile communication terminal to be credited over a communication channel to a second reload unit associated with the second mobile radio network. Finally, the second reload unit transmits to the account assigned to the identified mobile communication terminal to be credited a monetary amount corresponding to the proxy value code. By transmitting the initiating reload request to the central unit, reload requests originating from users who have subscribed to different mobile radio networks (or operators) and who are possibly roaming in different mobile radio networks, and are using value codes issued by different network operators, i.e. value codes associated with different mobile radio networks, can be handled consistently in one common automated service unit, addressable by one common service number, for example. As a consequence of the second reload request transmitted by the computerised central unit to the reload unit associated with the first mobile radio network, i.e. the foreign network to which the value code used in the initiating reload request is related, the monetary value corresponding to this value code will be credited by this reload unit in the conventional way to the account assigned to the proxy mobile communication terminal, i.e. the monetary amount will be credited to the operator of the computerised central unit. As a consequence of the third reload request transmitted by the computerised central unit to the reload unit associated with the second mobile radio network, i.e. the home network of the mobile communication terminal to be credited, the monetary value corresponding to the proxy value code, which is taken from a database of the computerised central unit, will be credited by this reload unit in the conventional way to the account assigned to the mobile communication terminal to be credited. An advantage of this invention is, inter alia, that no special contractual agreements between the individual mobile radio network operators are necessary for mutual recognition of value cards with value codes from different mobile radio network operators. On the contrary, a single contractual agreement with a central unit according to the invention or the operator thereof suffices for a mobile radio network operator, if the central unit does not in fact already belong to the mobile radio network operator. Another advantage is that the user of the mobile radio network does not have to worry about where, or from which operator, he buys a value card with a corresponding value code for loading or reloading his account. The user likewise does not have to be concerned about to which reloading unit the value card has been assigned. For all the value codes of any desired operator, the user always has the same central unit or service centre to call to load or reload the account assigned to his mobile communication terminal and/or chipcard. Moreover, the invention can be implemented without any modifications of the conventional reload units and the conventional mobile communication terminals. Furthermore, no special interfaces are required between reload units of different operators and the network traffic between the reload units of different operators is reduced because all the reload requests can be handled by one central unit forwarding conventional reload requests to the reload units of the different operators. In a preferred embodiment, prior to transmitting the third reload request, the computerised central unit directs the proxy mobile communication terminal to perform a balance enquiry, to determine whether the first reload unit transferred a monetary amount corresponding to the value code associated with the first mobile radio network to an account assigned to the proxy mobile communication terminal. In this way, it can be assured that no monetary amount is credited to the account assigned to the mobile communication terminal to be credited, if no monetary amount was credited to the operator of the computerised central unit. In a preferred embodiment, at least part of the contents of the second reload request and/or the first reload unit associated with the first mobile radio network are determined from a database based on the value code associated with the first mobile radio network. This makes it possible for different formats of reload requests to be used for reload units associated with different mobile radio networks to be supported by the central unit, and no additional information for identification of the first reload unit and the first mobile radio network must be provided in the initiating reload request. Other network parameters, such as VLR-identifier (Visitor Location Register) and HLR- identifier (Home Location Register), can also be used to determine the appropriate reload unit. In a preferred embodiment, at least part of the contents of the third reload request and/or the second reload unit associated with the second mobile radio network are determined based on the identification of the mobile communication terminal to be credited. This makes it possible for different formats of reload requests, particularly different formats of third party reload requests, to be used for reload units associated with different mobile radio networks to be supported by the central unit, and no additional information for the identification of the second reload unit and the second mobile radio network must be provided in the initiating reload request. In a preferred embodiment, the proxy value code is determined by the computerised central unit from a voucher database such that the monetary amount assigned to the proxy value code corresponds to the monetary amount assigned to the value code associated with the first mobile radio network. In this way the account assigned to the mobile communication terminal to be credited is credited with the monetary amount corresponding to the value code used in the initiating reload request. In a further embodiment, for different denominations of monetary values in a first currency assigned to value codes associated with a first mobile radio network, corresponding monetary values in a second currency are assigned to the proxy value codes stored in the voucher database. This makes it possible for proxy value codes of corresponding monetary amount, and possibly in another currency, that are associated with a target mobile radio network, to be determined for any value code associated with an initial mobile radio network and assigned to monetary amounts in any denomination and currency. In a preferred embodiment, the monetary amount corresponding to the value code associated with the first mobile radio network is transferred to a data store located on a first accounts database and the monetary amount corresponding to the proxy value code is transferred to a data store located on a second accounts database. This is particularly advantageous in network environments where the (credit) balance of a network subscriber (user) is stored in a database of the network, for example in so called IN-networks (Intelligent Networks). In a further embodiment, the monetary amount corresponding to the value code associated with the first mobile radio network is transferred (alternatively or in addition) to a data store of the proxy mobile communication terminal, for example a data store located on a chipcard fixed or removably connected to the proxy mobile communication terminal, and the monetary amount corresponding to the proxy value code is transferred to a data store of the mobile communication terminal to be credited, for example a data store located on a chipcard fixed or removably connected to the mobile communication terminal to be credited. This is advantageous in applications where the monetary amount must be present in the mobile communication terminal. Moreover, storing the monetary amount in a datastore of the mobile communication terminal provides a distributed backup for the centralised accounts database. Particularly, storing the monetary amount in a data store located on a removable chipcard increases flexibility because the chipcard can be removed and inserted for payment in devices external to the mobile communication unit. The present invention also relates to a computerised device, a computer-readable data carrier, and a computer program product for executing the method according to the invention. Brief Description of Drawings The present invention will be explained in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a block diagram which illustrates schematically a computerised device connected through communication channels to multiple mobile radio networks, reload units and terminals, and embodying a computerised central unit capable of sending and receiving reload requests over these communication channels. Figure 2 shows a timing diagram illustrating schematically the data flow between a mobile communication terminal or a data entry terminal and the computerised device, and reload units. Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention In Figure 1 , the reference numeral 1 refers to a computerised device including at least one computer and a database 13. The computerised device 1 is connected through communication channels 7a, 7b, 7c, 8a, 8b, 8c, 9, 10a, 10b, 10c to computerised reload units 6a, 6b, 6c and to communication terminals such as the mobile communication terminal 4 and the data entry terminal 5, for example an ATM- (Automatic Teller Machine) or POS-terminal (Point of Sale). In this configuration, the computerised device 1 is used as a computerised central unit for loading and reloading accounts assigned to mobile communication terminals. For the purpose of this text, the terms "computerised device" and "computerised central unit" are used interchangeably, and are both denoted with the reference numeral 1. The mobile communication terminal 4, illustrated schematically in Figure 1 , is a mobile radio telephone or a laptop-, palmtop or PDA-computer (Personal Data Assistant) equipped to communicate over a mobile radio network 2a, 2b, 2c. The mobile communication terminal 4 includes an identification module, preferably a chipcard 41 fixed or removably connected to the mobile communication terminal 4, preferably a so-called SIM-card (Subscriber Identification Module). The identification module contains an identification data element, for example an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMS1). Furthermore, the mobile communication terminal 4 includes a data store 411 , preferably located on the chipcard 41 , which can be used as an account to store monetary amounts. The communication channels 8a, 8b, 8c provide to mobile communication terminals 4 direct access to the computerised central unit 1 through mobile radio networks 2a, 2b, 2c, the computerised central unit 1 being accessed using a respective service number or address. The mobile radio networks 2a, 2b, 2c are, for example, GSM- (Global System for Mobile communication) or UMTS-networks (Universal Mobile Telephone System) or other, for example satellite-based, mobile radio networks. The communication channels 8a, 8b, 8c are supported by an SMSC (Short Message Service Centre), an MSC (Mobile Switching Centre), a USSD-gateway (Unstructured Supplementary Services Data), a GGSN-unit (Gateway GPRS Support Node, GPRS=General Packet Radio Service) or a WAP-gateway (Wireless Application Protocol) in the infrastructure of the mobile radio networks 2a, 2b, 2c, by an IVR-interface (Interactive Voice Response) or a CORBA-agent (Common Object Request Broker Architecture) in the infrastructure of the mobile radio networks 2a, 2b, 2c, in the reload units 6a, 6b, 6c connected to the mobile radio networks 2a, 2b, 2c or in the computerised central unit 1 , or by another data exchange system in the infrastructure of the mobile radio networks 2a, 2b, 2c or in the computerised central unit 1. The communication channel 9 connects the computerised central unit 1 to the data entry terminal 5 through the fixed communication network 3, for example an IP-network (Internet Protocol), an ISDN-network (Integrated Services Digital Network), a PSTN- (Public Switched Telephone Network), LAN- (Local Area Network) or WAN-network (Wide Area Network) or another fixed network. As is illustrated in Figure 1 , the communication channels 7a, 7b, 7c provide to communication terminals 4, 5 indirect access to the computerised central unit 1 through the computerised reload units 6a, 6b, 6c, the computerised reload units 6a, 6b, 6c being accessed by the mobile communication terminals 4 using a respective service number or address. The computerised reload units 6a, 6b, 6c are connected to the computerised central unit 1 by means of a fixed network, for example an IP-network (Internet Protocol), an ISDN-network (Integrated Services Digital Network), a PSTN- (Public Switched Telephone Network), LAN- (Local Area Network) or WAN- network (Wide Area Network) or another fixed network. The computerised reload units 6a, 6b, 6c are accessible from a mobile communication terminal 4 through the mobile radio networks 2a, 2b, 2c and through an SMSC, an MSC, a USSD-gateway, a GGSN-unit or a WAP-gateway in the infrastructure of the mobile radio networks 2a, 2b, 2c, an IVR-interface or a CORBA-agent in the infrastructure of the mobile radio networks 2a, 2b, 2c or in the reload units 6a, 6b, 6c, or by another data exchange system in the infrastructure of the mobile radio networks 2a, 2b, 2c or in the reload units 6a, 6b, 6c. The computerised reload units 6a, 6b, 6c are also accessible from a data entry terminal 5 through a fixed communication network 3. In addition to hardware components required for connecting the computerised central unit 1 to the communication channels 7a, 7b, 7c, 8a, 8b, 8c, 9, the computerised central unit 1 includes a communication module 111 for controlling the communication over the communication channels 7a, 7b, 7c, 8a, 8b, 8c, 9, particularly for receiving reload requests from communication terminals such as the mobile communication terminal 4 or the data entry terminal 5 and for sending and/or receiving reload requests to and from the reload units 6a, 6b, 6c. The communication module 111 is preferably a programmed software module. As is illustrated in Figure 1 , the computerised central unit 1 includes proxy mobile communication terminals 12a, 12b, 12c fixed in the computerised central unit 1. The proxy mobile communication terminals 12a, 12b, 12c are each capable of emulating a mobile communication terminal capable of transmitting and sending data over the communication channels 10a, 10b, 10c through the mobile radio networks 2a, 2b, 2c to and from the computerised reload units 6a, 6b, 6c. The proxy mobile communication terminals 12a, 12b, 12c are implemented either as individual hardware modules, connected through an interface to the computer(s) of the computerised central unit 1 , or as programmed software modules running on the computer(s) of the computerised central unit 1 . Whereas for the hardware version of the proxy mobile communication terminals 12a, 12b, 12c, the communication channels 10a, 10b, 10c actually include an air interface to the mobile radio networks 2a, 2b, 2c. For the software version of the proxy mobile communication terminals 12a, 12b, 12c, the communication channels 10a, 10b, 10c may include a connection through a fixed communication network to the mobile radio networks 2a, 2b, 2c. As is illustrated in Figure 1 , each proxy mobile communication terminal 12a, 12b, 12c includes an identification module 121 a, 121 b, 121 c containing an identification data element, for example an IMSI. For the hardware version of the proxy mobile communication terminals 12a, 12b, 12c, the identification modules 121a, 121 b, 121c are implemented as chipcards, i.e. SlM-cards. Each of the proxy mobile communication terminals 12a, 12b, 12c is assigned to one of the mobile radio networks 2a, 2b, 2c by its identification data element, i.e. the IMSI, being registered in the Home Location Register (HLR) of the particular mobile radio network 2a, 2b, 2c. As is indicated in Figure 1 , the proxy mobile communication terminal 12a is assigned to the mobile radio network 2a, the proxy mobile communication terminal 12b is assigned to the mobile radio network 2b, and the proxy mobile communication terminal 12c is assigned to the mobile radio network 2c. In the HLR of a mobile radio network 2a, 2b, 2c, the call number assigned to a home user who subscribed to this mobile radio network 2a, 2b, 2c, the so-called MSISDN-number (Mobile Subscriber ISDN), is linked to the IMSI of that particular user. The computerised central unit 1 includes a reload management module 11 which controls the operation of the computer(s) and the proxy mobile communication terminals 12a, 12b, 12c. The reload management module 11 is preferably a programmed software module. As is indicated in Figure 1 , the computerized reload units 6a, 6b, 6c are directly connected to the mobile radio networks 2a, 2b, or 2c, respectively, and set up to handle reload requests including value codes associated with the respective mobile radio network 2a, 2b or 2c. Value codes issued by an operator of another mobile radio network 2a, 2b, 2c, not directly connected to the reload unit 6a, 6b, 6c, are considered to be associated with a foreign mobile radio network 2a, 2b, 2c and issued by a foreign operator. The computerized reload units 6a, 6b, 6c are each connected to an accounts database 61a, 61b, 61c. For each of the accounts databases 61a, 61 b, 61c one particular account 611a, 611b, 611c is illustrated schematically in Figure 1. The individual accounts 611a, 611 b, 611c are each linked to an identification data element of a mobile communication terminal, preferably an MSISDN-number or an IMSI assigned to a mobile communication terminal and its user. Table 1 The database 13, illustrated in Figure 1 , includes a voucher database 131 containing value codes associated with different mobile radio networks 2a, 2b, 2c, i.e. value codes issued by different operators of these mobile radio networks 2a, 2b, 2c. The value codes stored in the voucher database 131 are linked to monetary amounts in different denominations and currencies. Preferably, in the voucher database 131 , for different denominations of monetary values in a first currency assigned to value codes associated with a particular mobile radio network, corresponding monetary values in other currencies are assigned to the value codes associated with all other mobile radio networks 2a, 2b, 2c, as is illustrated with an example shown in Table Un a preferred embodiment, the reload management module 11 includes an interface module for currency updates, which makes it possible for operators of the mobile radio networks 2a, 2b, 2c to store value codes associated with their mobile radio networks 2a, 2b, 2c in different denominations and currencies (voucher types) in response to currency changes. The reload management module 11 , including the communication module 111 , as well as possible other programmed software modules required for a software version of the proxy mobile communication terminals 12a, 12b, 12c are stored and/or loaded into the computer(s) of the computerised central unit 1 on data carriers. In the following paragraphs, the sequence of steps performed for loading and reloading an account assigned to the mobile communication terminal 4 are described with reference to Figure 2. In Figure 2, the reference numerals 1 , 4, 5, 6a and 6c refer to the same units as referenced by the corresponding reference numerals in Figure 1. To ensure that only valid mobile users of participating operators are connected to the computerised central unit 1 , the MSISDN-number assigned to a mobile user initiating the reload request process is validated before the process is started. In step S1 , illustrated in Figure 2, the user of the mobile communication terminal 4 inputs the value code to be submitted as part of a reload request for loading or reloading an account assigned to the mobile communication terminal 4 with a monetary amount corresponding to the value code. The value code can be input by the user directly on his mobile communication terminal 4 or on an appropriate data entry terminal 5 by way of manual data entry or insertion of a code carrier. On the mobile communication terminal 4, the value code can be entered as part of a reload request command string, for example in form of an SMS- (Short Messaging Service) or a USSD- message. An example of a reload request command string in form of a USSD- message is shown in Table 2, wherein "RRR" represents a function code identifying the USSD-message as a reload request and wherein "CCCCCCCCCCCCCC" represents the value code. Table 2 The value code can also be entered on the mobile communication terminal 4 or on the data entry terminal 5 under the control of a GUI- (Graphical User Interface), an IVR-interface or another menu-controlled user interface accessed using a respective service number or address. At a POS-terminal, input of a value code by the user is not required as value codes are automatically determined by the POS-terminal in exchange for payment (or debit) and step S2, described below, is automatically initiated by the POS-terminal. In step S2 of Figure 2, the entered value code is transmitted through the different possible communication channels 7a, 7b, 7c, 8a, 8b, 8c, 9, as outlined above, to the computerised central unit 1. Along with the value code, an identification of the mobile communication terminal to be credited, preferably a call number, i.e. an MSISDN-number, or alternatively an International Mobile Equipment Identifier (IMEI) or an IMSI, is transmitted to the computerised central unit 1. Particularly, if the reload request is directed to a mobile communication terminal of a third party, the identification of the mobile communication terminal to be credited is entered by the user. If the reload request is submitted by the mobile communication terminal 4 to be credited, the identification of the mobile communication terminal 4 can be determined automatically in the SMSC, in the MSC, in the USSD-gateway, in the GGSN- unit, in the WAP-gateway, by the IVR-interface, by the CORBA-agent, in the reload units 6a, 6b, 6c, or in the computerised central unit 1 , for example by means of services such as Call Line Identification (CLI) or Automatic Caller Identification (ACI). Reload requests addressed to the reload units 6a, 6b, 6c are only routed to the computerised central unit 1 if the value code included is associated with another (a foreign) mobile radio network or with another (a foreign) operator, respectively, or if the mobile communication terminal to be credited is registered in the Home Location Register (HLR) of another (a foreign) mobile radio network, i.e. if the monetary amount is to be credited to the mobile communication terminal of a user who has subscribed to another (a foreign) operator. Otherwise, the reload requests can be handled conventionally in the reload units 6a, 6b, 6c. In step S3, illustrated in Figure 2, the reload management module 11 determines the mobile radio network and/or operator, respectively, with which the value code received by the communication module 111 is associated. This is done by extracting a network and/or operator identifier from the value code, by looking up the network identifier and/or operator linked to the value code in the database 13, or by receiving a network and/or operator identifier along with the reload request from the SMSC, the MSC, the USSD-gateway, the GGSN- unit, the WAP-gateway, the IVR-interface, the CORBA-agent, the reload units 6a, 6b, 6c, the service centre associated with the data entry terminal 5, or the user. In step S4, illustrated in Figure 2, the reload management module 11 determines the home mobile radio network of the mobile communication terminal 4 to be credited, i.e. the mobile radio network 2a, 2b, 2c where the user of this mobile communication terminal is registered in the HLR. This is done by analysing the identification of the mobile communication terminal to be credited or by receiving an identifier of the home network and/or home operator of the mobile communication terminal to be credited along with the reload request from the SMSC, the MSC, the USSD-gateway, the GGSN-unit, the WAP-gateway, the IVR-interface, the CORBA-agent, the reload units 6a, 6b, 6c, the service centre associated with the data entry terminal 5, or the user. In an embodiment, the reload management module 11 determines from the database 13 or from another lookup table or data file stored in the computerised central unit 1 , the address or service number of the reload units 6a, 6b, 6c associated with the mobile radio networks 2a, 2b, 2c determined in steps 3 and 4. In step S5, illustrated in Figure 2, the reload management module 11 directs the proxy mobile communication terminal 12a, 12b, 12c, registered in the HLR of the mobile radio network 2a, 2b, 2c with which the received value code is associated, to transmit a reload request including the received value code to the reload unit 6a, 6b, 6c directly connected to that mobile radio network. The reload request is transmitted through the respective communication channel 10a, 10b, 10c, as outlined above. If the received value code is associated with mobile radio network 2c, for example, the reload request is transmitted by the proxy mobile communication terminal 12c through the communication channel 10c to the reload unit 6c. Communication between the proxy mobile communication terminals 12a, 12b, 12c and the reload units 6a, 6b, 6c may be based on IVR, SMS, USSD, WAP, GPRS or other protocols and data services. The reload management module 11 determines the specific data interface and data format to be used for transmitting reload requests to the reload unit 6a, 6b, 6c connected to a particular mobile radio network 2a, 2b, 2c, as determined in steps S3 and S4, from the database 13 or from another lookup table or data file stored in the computerised central unit 1. In this way complete reload request command strings, including the service number or address as mentioned above, for example, or at least part of the contents of the reload requests can be determined dynamically by the reload management module 11. In step S6, illustrated in Figure 2, the reload unit 6a, 6b, 6c which received the reload request transmitted in step S5 (in the example illustrated reload unit 6c), credits in the conventional way the monetary amount corresponding to the value code included in the received reload request to the account assigned to the respective requesting proxy mobile communication terminal 12a, 12b, 12c (in the example illustrated to account 611c assigned to the proxy mobile communication terminal 12c). Depending on the implementation, in step S7, the reload unit 6a, 6b, 6c which received the reload request transmitted in step S5 also transfers the monetary amount to the data store of the mobile communication terminal to be credited (in the example illustrated the reload unit 6c transfers the monetary amount to the proxy mobile communication terminal 12c - i.e. to the computerised central unit 1 - to be stored in a data store of the proxy mobile communication terminal 12c). In step S8, illustrated in Figure 2, the reload management module 11 directs the proxy mobile communication terminal 12a, 12b, 12c which transmitted a reload request in step S5 (in the example illustrated proxy mobile communication terminal 12c) to perform a conventional balance enquiry. If the balance enquiry shows that the monetary amount requested in step S5 was not credited to the respective proxy mobile communication terminal 12a, 12b, 12c, the reload management module 11 notifies, in step S13, the communication terminal 4 (or 5) that the initial reload request failed. If the balance enquiry shows that the monetary amount requested in step S5 was effectively credited to the respective proxy mobile communication terminal 12a, 12b, 12c, the reload management module 11 determines, in step S9, in the voucher database 131 a proxy value code which is associated with the home mobile radio network of the mobile communication terminal 4 to be credited, as determined in step S3. The proxy value code is determined such that its corresponding monetary amount corresponds to the monetary amount of the value code received in step S2. In step S10, illustrated in Figure 2, the reload management module 11 directs the proxy mobile communication terminal 12a, 12b, 12c, registered in the home mobile radio network of the mobile communication terminal 4 to be credited, as determined in step S3, to transmit a reload request including the proxy value code determined in step S9 to the reload unit 6a, 6b, 6c directly connected to that home mobile radio network. The reload request is transmitted through the respective communication channel 10a, 10b, 10c, as outlined above. If the mobile communication terminal 4 to be credited is registered in the HLR of the mobile radio network 2a, for example, the reload request is transmitted by the proxy mobile communication terminal 12a through the communication channel 10a to the reload unit 6a. The reload management module 11 determines the specific data interface and data format to be used for transmitting reload requests to the reload unit 6a, 6b, 6c connected to a particular mobile radio network 2a, 2b, 2c, as determined in steps S3 and S4, from the database 13 or from another lookup table or data file stored in the computerised central unit 1. In this way complete reload request command strings, including the service number or address as mentioned above, for example, or at least part of the contents of the reload requests can be determined dynamically by the reload management module 11. The reload request transmitted in step S10 is preferably transmitted in the form of a reload third party request, also known as an "on-behalf request". The service number or address of the responsible reload unit 6a, 6b, 6c, as well as the specific data interface and data format to be used can be determined by the reload management module 11 , as described above. An example of a reload third party request command string in the form of a USSD- message is shown in Table 3, wherein "TTT" represents a function code identifying the USSD-message as a reload third party request, wherein "PPPPPPPPPPPPPP" represents the proxy value code, and wherein "NNNNNNNNNN" represents the identification of the mobile communication terminal (i.e. the third party) to be credited. Table 3 In step S11 , illustrated in Figure 2, the reload unit 6a, 6b, 6c, which received the reload request transmitted in step S10 (in the example illustrated reload unit 6a), credits in the conventional way the monetary amount, corresponding to the proxy value code included in the received reload request, to the account assigned to the mobile communication terminal 4 identified in the reload request (in the example illustrated to account 61 1a assigned to mobile communication terminal 4). Depending on the implementation, in step S12, the reload unit 6a, 6b, 6c which received the reload request transmitted in step S10, also transfers the monetary amount to the data store of the mobile communication terminal to be credited (in the example illustrated the reload unit 6a transfers the monetary amount to the data store 41 1 of the mobile communication terminal 4). The computerised central unit 1 1 described above is capable of handling reload requests issued by a user in his home mobile radio network or in a visited foreign mobile radio network, wherein the value code included in the reload request can be associated with the home mobile radio network or with the visited mobile radio network. One skilled in the art understands that mechanisms are required for inventory control of the voucher database 131 and for financial clearing of monetary amounts credited to accounts assigned to the proxy mobile communication terminals 12a, 12b, 12c of the operator of the computerised central unit 1. Industrial Applicability The present invention can be used in network environments where monetary amounts are loaded or reloaded on accounts assigned to mobile communication terminals, wherein corresponding value codes are issued by different operators and/or wherein reload requests are transmitted by users roaming in foreign mobile radio networks. List of Reference Numerals I computerised device (computerised central unit) 2a, 2b, 2c mobile radio network 3 fixed communication network 4 mobile communication terminal 5 data entry terminal 6a, 6b, 6c reload unit 7a, 7b, 7c communication channel 8a, 8b, 8c communication channel 9 communication channel 10a, 10b, 10c communication channel I I reload management module 12a, 12b, 12c proxy mobile communication terminal 13 database 41 chipcard (SIM-card) 61a, 61 b, 61c accounts database I I I communication module 121a, 121 b, 121c identification module 131 voucher database 411 data store 611 a, 611 b, 611c account 51 data input 52 first reload request 53 identification of foreign network S4 identification of home network 55 second reload request 56 credit monetary amount to account assigned to proxy mobile communication terminal 57 transfer monetary amount to data store of proxy mobile communication terminal 58 balance enquiry 59 determination of proxy value code S10 third reload request (reload third party request) 511 credit monetary amount to account assigned to mobile communication terminal to be credited 512 transfer monetary amount to data store of mobile communication terminal to be credited S13 send notification of failure to mobile communication terminal to be credited

Claims: Claims 1. A method for loading and reloading an account (411 , 611 a), assigned to a mobile communication terminal (4), with a monetary amount, in which method a reload request including a value code and an identification of the mobile communication terminal (4) are transmitted over a communication channel (7c, 8c, 9) to a computerised reload unit, in which method the reload unit transfers a monetary amount corresponding to the value code to the account (411 , 611a) assigned to the identified mobile communication terminal (4), wherein the method includes transmission of a first reload request (S2) including a value code associated with a first mobile radio network (2c) and of an identification of a mobile communication terminal (4) to be credited, registered in a home location register of a second mobile radio network (2a), over a communication channel (7c, 8c, 9) to a computerised central unit (1), transmission by the computerised central unit (1) of a second reload request (S5) including the value code associated with the first mobile radio network (2c) and of an identification of a proxy mobile communication terminal (12c), registered in a home location register of the first mobile radio network (2c), over a communication channel (10c) to a first reload unit (6c) associated with the first mobile radio network (2c), transmission by the computerised central unit (1) of a third reload request (S10) including a proxy value code associated with the second mobile radio network (2a), and of the identification of the mobile communication terminal (4) to be credited over a communication channel (10a) to a second reload unit (6a) associated with the second mobile radio network, and transfer by the second reload unit (6a) to the account (411 , 611a) assigned to the identified mobile communication terminal (4) to be credited of a monetary amount corresponding to the proxy value code. 2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein prior to transmitting the third reload request (S10), the computerised central unit (1) directs the proxy mobile communication terminal (12c) to perform a balance enquiry (S8) to determine whether the first reload unit (6c) transferred to an account (611c) assigned to the proxy mobile communication terminal (12c) a monetary amount corresponding to the value code associated with the first mobile radio network (2c). 3. The method according to one of the claims 1 or 2, wherein at least part of the contents of the second reload request (S5) and/or the first reload unit (6c) associated with the first mobile radio network (2c) are determined from a database (13) based on the value code associated with the first mobile radio network (2c). 4. The method according to one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein at least part of the contents of the third reload request (S10) and/or the second reload unit (6a) associated with the second mobile radio network (2a) are determined based on the identification of the mobile communication terminal (4) to be credited. 5. The method according to one of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the proxy value code is determined (S9) by the computerised central unit (1) from a voucher database (131 ) such that the monetary amount assigned to the proxy value code corresponds to the monetary amount assigned to the value code associated with the first mobile radio network (2c). 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein for different denominations of monetary values in a first currency assigned to value codes associated with a first mobile radio network (2c), corresponding monetary values in a second currency are assigned to the proxy value codes stored in the voucher database (131). 7. The method according to one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the monetary amount corresponding to the value code associated with the first mobile radio network (2c) is transferred (S7) to a data store located on a first accounts database (61c) and wherein the monetary amount corresponding to the proxy value code is transferred (S12) to a data store located on a second accounts database (61a). 8. The method according to one of the claims 1 to 7, wherein the monetary amount corresponding to the value code associated with the first mobile radio network (2c) is transferred (S7) to a data store of the proxy mobile communication terminal (12c) and wherein the monetary amount corresponding to the proxy value code is transferred (S12) to a data store (411 ) of the mobile communication terminal (4) to be credited. 9. The method according to one of the claims 1 to 8, wherein the MSISDN-number assigned to the mobile communication terminal (4) to be credited is used as the identification of the mobile communication terminal (4) to be credited and wherein the MSISDN-number assigned to the proxy mobile communication terminal (12c) is used as the identification of the proxy mobile communication terminal (12c). 10. A computerised device (1) for loading and reloading accounts assigned to mobile communication terminals (4), the computerised device being connectable to at least one communication channel (7a, 7b, 7c, 8a, 8b, 8c, 9, 10a, 10b, 10c) and including a reload management module (11) for receiving and transmitting reload requests including value codes and identifications of mobile communication terminals (4) over the communication channel (7a, 7b, 7c, 8a, 8b, 8c, 9), wherein the computerised device (1) includes proxy mobile communication terminals (12a, 12b, 12c) controllable by the reload management module (11), said proxy mobile communication terminals (12a, 12b, 12c) being fixed in the computerised device (1 ) and each being capable of emulating a mobile communication terminal capable of transmitting and receiving data over the communication channel (10a, 10b, 10c), an identification of each proxy mobile communication terminal (12a, 12b, 12c) being registered in a home location register of one of many mobile radio networks (2a, 2b, 2c), the reload management module (11) includes means to direct a first one of the proxy mobile communication terminals (12c) registered in a home location register of a first mobile radio network (2c) to transmit a second reload request (S5) including a value code associated with the first mobile radio network (2c) and an identification of the first one of the proxy mobile communication terminals (12c) over a communication channel (10c) to a first reload unit (6c) associated with the first mobile radio network (2c), in response to a received first reload request (S2) including a value code associated with the first mobile radio network (2c) and an identification of a mobile communication terminal (4) to be credited, registered in a home location register of a second mobile radio network (2a), and to direct a second one of the proxy mobile communication terminals (12a) registered in a home location register of a second mobile radio network (2a) to transmit a third reload request (S10) including a proxy value code associated with the second mobile radio network (2a) and the identification of the mobile communication terminal (4) to be credited over a communication channel (10a) to a second reload (6a) unit associated with the second mobile radio network (2a). 11. The computerised device (1 ) according to claim 10, wherein the reload management module (11) includes further means to direct any one of the proxy mobile communication terminals (12a, 12b, 12c) to perform a balance enquiry (S8) and to receive the balance amount determined by a proxy mobile communication terminal (12a, 12b, 12c) so directed. 12. The computerised device (1) according to one of the claims 10 or 11 , wherein at least part of the contents of the second reload request (S5) and/or identifications of the reload units (6a, 6b, 6c) associated with the respective mobile radio networks (2a, 2b, 2c) are stored in the computerised device (1 ), said part and/or identifications being linked to value codes associated with the respective mobile radio network (2a, 2b, 2c). 13. The computerised device (1 ) according to one of the claims 10 to 12, wherein at least part of the contents of the third reload request (S10) and/or identifications of reload units associated (6a, 6b, 6c) with the respective mobile radio networks (2a, 2b, 2c) are stored in the computerised device (1), said part and/or identifications being linked to identifications of the respective mobile radio network (2a, 2b, 2c). 14. The computerised device (1 ) according to one of the claims 10 to 13, wherein the computerised device (1) includes a voucher database (131 ) wherein proxy value codes and monetary values assigned to these proxy value codes are stored in the voucher database (131), and wherein the reload management module (11 ) includes further means to determine a proxy value code such that the monetary amount assigned to the proxy value code corresponds the monetary amount assigned to the value code associated with the first mobile radio network (2c). 15. The computerised device (1 ) according to claim 14, wherein for different denominations of monetary values in a first currency assigned to value codes associated with a first mobile radio network (2c), corresponding monetary values in a second currency are assigned to the proxy value codes stored in the voucher database (131). 16. The computerised device (1 ) according to one of the claims 10 to 15, wherein the identification of the mobile communication terminal to be credited is an MSISDN-number assigned to the mobile communication terminal (4) to be credited and wherein the identification of the proxy mobile communication terminal (12a, 12b, 12c) is an MSISDN-number assigned to the proxy mobile communication terminal (12a, 12b, 12c). 17. Computer-readable data carrier, encoded with data representing a computer program, that makes it possible to direct a computerised device (1 ) connected to at least one communication channel (7a, 7b, 7c, 8a, 8b, 8c, 9, 10a, 10b, 10c) to receive and transmit reload requests including value codes and identifications of mobile communication terminals (4) over the communication channel (7a, 7b, 7c, 8a, 8b, 8c, 9), wherein it further makes it possible to direct the computerised device (1 ) to perform the functions of a proxy mobile communication terminal (12a, 12b, 12c), said proxy mobile communication terminal (12a, 12b, 12c) emulating a mobile communication terminal being capable of transmitting and receiving data over the communication channel (10a, 10b, 10c) and using one of many identifications of mobile communication terminals, each registered in a home location register of one of many mobile radio networks (2a, 2b, 2c), and, in response to reception of a first reload request (S2) including a value code associated with a first mobile radio network (2c) and an identification of a mobile communication terminal (4) to be credited, registered in a home location register of a second mobile radio network (2a), to act as a first proxy mobile communication terminal (12c) registered in a home location register of the first mobile radio network (2c) and to transmit a second reload request (S5) including a value code associated with the first mobile radio network (2c) and an identification of the first proxy mobile communication terminal (12c) over the communication channel (10c) to a first reload unit (12c) associated with the first mobile radio network (2c), and to act as a second proxy mobile communication terminal (12a) registered in a home location register of the second mobile radio network (2a) and to transmit a third reload request (S10) including a proxy value code associated with the second mobile radio network (2a) and the identification of the mobile communication terminal (4) to be credited over the communication channel (10a) to a second reload unit (6a) associated with the second mobile radio network (2a). 18. Computer program product including: computer program code to direct a computerised device (1 ) connected to at least one communication channel (7a, 7b, 7c, 8a, 8b, 8c, 9, 10a, 10b, 10c) to receive and transmit reload requests including value codes and identifications of mobile communication terminals (4) over the communication channel (7a, 7b, 7c, 8a, 8b, 8c, 9), wherein it further includes computer program code to direct the computerised device (1 ) to perform the functions of a proxy mobile communication terminal (12a, 12b, 12c), said proxy mobile communication terminal (12a, 12b, 12c) emulating a mobile communication terminal being capable of transmitting and receiving data over the communication channel (10a, 10b, 10c) and using one of many identifications of mobile communications terminals, each registered in a home location register of one of many mobile radio networks (2a, 2b, 2c), and, in response to reception of a first reload request (S2) including a value code associated with a first mobile radio network (2c) and an identification of a mobile communication terminal (4) to be credited, registered in a home location register of a second mobile radio network (2a), to act as a first proxy mobile communication terminal (12c) registered in a home location register of the first mobile radio network (2c) and to transmit a second reload request (S5) including a value code associated with the first mobile radio network (2c) and an identification of the first proxy mobile communication terminal (12c) over the communication channel (10c) to a first reload unit (6c) associated with the first mobile radio network (2c), and to act as a second proxy mobile communication terminal (12a) registered in a home location register of the second mobile radio network (2a) and to transmit a third reload request (S10) including a proxy value code associated with the second mobile radio network (2a) and the identification of the mobile communication terminal (4) to be credited over the communication channel (10a) to a second reload unit (6a) associated with the second mobile radio network (2a).

Inventors: GRANATH NILS, GRANATH, NILS
Applicants: GRANATH NILS, SICAP AG, GRANATH, NILS
Application year: 2001
Main classification: H04M17
IPC codes: H04M17, H04W88