WO2002007407A1

WO2002007407A1 - User interface for networked applications

Info

Publication number: WO2002007407A1
Application number: PCT/EP2000/006828
Authority: WO
Inventors: Holger Roost-Macias; Siegfried Wilhelm
Original assignee: Tresor Tv Produktions Gmbh
Priority date: 2000-07-17
Filing date: 2000-07-17
Publication date: 2002-01-24
Also published as: AU2000259854A1

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and a system wherein a user of an end user device is enabled to access services provided via a network without performing interaction with the end user device except operating input means thereof being indicative of a request corresponding to the service desired by the user. This is accomplished by using an end user device comprising input means, each thereof being indicative of a request corresponding to services provided via the network. Upon operation of one of the input means, the end user device automatically establishes a communication link to a respective provider in relation to the request selected by the user. Since the requests are assigned to the input means without a communication link being established between the end user device and the network providers, the user selects a desired service and operates a respective input means before a communication link to a respective provider is established. The request is communicated to the respective provider which in turn is operated to provide the service selected by the user. In order to guarantee that only authorized users access services, the communication link is established via a primary provider. The primary provider validates an end user device-ID and/or a ID of the user, whereby it is possible to deny the establishing of a communication link to a desired provider if the validation shows that the end user device-ID and/or user-ID is not valid. Upon a positive validation, the communication link is allowed to be established. The same applies, vice versa, for an ID uniquely identifying the provider. Further, the primary provider establishes a communication link to a provider of financial services for a totalization of costs resulting from the desired service provided to the user. As a result, the provider of the service desired by the user is ensured that the service related costs are paid by the user since the primary provider controls and monitors respective financial transactions.

Description

USER INTERFACE FOR NETWORKED APPLICATIONS

Description

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to data communication in a network and, in particular, to the routing of requests from end user devices to providers in a network.

State of the Art

In recent years, the number of companies participating in large, global networks (e. g. the Internet) as providers have increased, since such networks allow for easily providing products and services to a large number of end users. Beside database services being a traditional application for networks, more and more companies are advertising and selling their products and/or services via the

Internet. Nowadays, virtually any product and/or service can be acquired via the Internet, including any kind of manufactured products (e. g. clothes, cars, books, ...), information services (e. g. stock exchange information), financial/economic services (e. g. telebanking, travel services ...)_/ and the like.

Especially in the case where end user specific data, including sensitive confidential information is requested by a respective provider for purchasing/ordering of provided products and services, network security is a primary concern. On the one hand, such sensitive confidential information including e. g. the name, the credit card number, the bank account of an end user must be communicated to providers in a way that an unauthorized network user (intruder) is not enabled to intercept and misuse these data. On the other hand, providers receiving product/service requests from end users must be ensured of the identity of the end users, the integrity of the product/service requests, a correct totalization of costs for which end users are charged for receiving requested products/services, and the like. Thus, the requirements for a secure data communication in a network can be divided into overall security demands, security demands with respect to end users and security demands with respect to product/service providers.

The overall network security demands include the confidentiality between end users and providers, the integrity of data communicated over the network, the unsurveillancability, liability and undeniability of transactions related to products/services provided and requested via the network, the accountability of end users and providers with respect to data communicated therebetween, and the anonymity of end users and providers as well as of product/service related transactions with respect to third parties.

For end users requesting/ordering products/services via a network, the end user devices and the end user software must be simple to use. Further, end users are interested in utilizing existing totalization (payment) methods/instruments providing an established financial transaction security standard such as bank account transfers and credit card based payments. Therefore, personal and private end user data, product/service request data and additional data requested/necessary for accomplishing a product/ service request must be protected with respect to unauthorized network users. Moreover, it is essential that product/service requests from end users result in a legally binding relationship with the respective providers such that requested providers are legally enforced to fulfill end users requests.

Comparable thereto, the network security demands of providers include the protection of end user and provider data as well as request/transaction data, a legally binding relation between requesting end users and requested providers resulting from end user requests and/or product/service offers of providers, and the like. Further, product/service providers are interested in immediate billing procedures related to requested products/services and minimized costs for offering, providing products/services, fulfilling end user inquiries and related transaction costs.

Due to the conventional manner to provide and request products and services via a network as described below, many of the above demands are not yet fulfilled by currently available network access providers.

Conventionally, an end user operates his/her end user device to establish a network communication link to a specific provider of desired products/services. In turn, the requested provider communicates product/service specific data to the end user device and, for ordering a product/services, requests end user specific data (e. g. name, credit card number, shipping address etc.) from the end user. Therefore, at least a part of end user specific sensitive confidential data has to be communicated over the network for each product/service order while such communicated data is insufficiently protected from abuse by unauthorized third parties, even using encryption techniques. As a result, the confidentiality between the end user and the provider, the integrity of communicated data, the unsurveillancability, liability and undeniability of order/request related transactions can not be guaranteed. Further, offer/order specific data communicated via the network and transactions related thereto (e. g. payment transactions) are concatenated whereby the provider as well as the end user have the burden to prove that related transactions have been accomplished.

A further problem of the above conventional approach is that end users must know providers of the desired products/services and how to contact them. Traditionally, end user devices used for contacting a provider are personal computers which are complicated to be operated, especially for inexperienced end users. Furthermore, the complexity of such end user devices can lead to undesired, unintended network communication of sensitive confidential information due to an erroneous end user interaction with the respective end user device. Moreover, this approach to offer/order products/services via a network usually does not result in a legally binding relationship between providers and end users. Additionally, neither providers nor end users can be principally confident in the identity, credibility and solvency of the other party.

Further, providers are required to take care for product/service related (financial) transactions, whereby the providers have the burden to prove that such transactions have been correctly and properly executed. On the other hand, the end user is responsible to correctly communicate information to the provider necessary for such transactions.

In order to overcome of the above-described bottlenecks, US-5,960,411 (Amazon. Corn-Patent) teaches an internet-related method and system for placing a purchase order via a communication network. There, the security of sensitive confidential information communication between an end user and a product/service provider is enhanced by transmitting an end user identifier to the provider. On the basis of the received end user identifier, the provider retrieves sensitive confidential information of the respective end user from a data base such as the credit card number and bank account of the end user. Although no sensitive confidential end user related information has to be communication from the end user to the provider for ordering a product/service, this approach exhibits several problems. The end user must know the Internet address of the provider and must be able to establish a communication link to the provider. Further, the end user must be separately registered with each provider, irrespective of whether the end user orders once or several times.

Object of the invention

In general, the object of the present invention is to overcome the above-described problems of the prior art and, in particular, to provide an end user and provider friendly, secure and easy-to-use solution for requesting products and/or services via a network, preferably the Internet. Solution according to the invention

To solve the object of the invention, a method for routing a request from an end user device to a provider in a network is provided, including operating one of a plurality of input means of an end user device indicative of a request, automatically establishing a communication link to a provider in dependence on the request of the operated input means, communicating the request to the provider, and communicating a response to the end user device in dependence on the request.

Preferably, the requests are assigned to the input means, the requests including data and/or information specifying the communication link, and/or data and/or information specific for the provider (an URL-adress) and/or data and/or information and/or service requests for providers accessible by the end user device, and/or a request for assigning functions to the input means remotely controlled by providers accessible by the end user device.

In order to adapt the input means to different network conditions, e.g. end user or provider related conditions, subsequently to the operating of the input means, requests are re-assigned to the input means in dependence on the request of the operated input means by replacing requests previously assigned to the input means, and one of the input means indicative of a respective one of the reassigned requests is operated, whereby the communication link is established in dependence on the re-assigned requests of the input means lastly operated and the response is communicated to the end user device in dependence on the re- assigned request communicated to the provider.

To enhance the communication security in the network, an end user device ID uniquely associated with the end user device, and/or an end user ID uniquely identifying a user of the end user device is communicated by the end user device. As an addition or an option, the communication security in the network can be enhanced, if a provider ID uniquely associated with the provider is communicated by the provider.

Preferably, the communication link is established via a primary provider.

Moreover, the assigning and/or the re-assigning of the requests is performed by the primary provider and/or the provider upon the establishing of the communication link and/or upon the communicating of the request and/or under control of the primary provider and/or the provider by establishing a communication link for communicating suitable data to the end user device.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the end user device ID or the end user ID is validated by the primary provider, whereas data being indicative of a result of the validation can be communicated to the provider in order to inform the provider of the validity of the end user device ID and/or the end user ID.

Also, it is possible that the provider ID is validated by the primary provider, whereas data/information indicative of a result of the validation can be communicated to the end user device in order to inform the end user device of the validity of the provider ID.

In order to execute financial transactions related to the communicated request, a communication link is automatically established to a further provider, preferably a provider of financial services, for initiating respective financial transactions related to the request.

In case the invention is used in combination with the Internet, at least one part of the communication links can be established via an E-mail provider. In case, more than one possible communication link between the end user device and the provider is possible, the communication link is established as a communication link specific for the end user device and the provider. In particular, it is possible that the request includes data and/or information being indicative of the specific communication link. As a consequence, the established communication link can be routed to the network in an enhanced secure manner.

Moreover, the invention provides a system for routing a request from an end user device to a provider in a network. The system comprises a plurality of providers, each thereof being adapted to be operated in response to a request, an end user device for communicating the request to one of the plurality of providers, and a network for selectively connecting the end user device with one of the plurality of providers, wherein the end user device comprises a plurality of input means, each thereof being indicative of a request, and the end user device being adapted to automatically establish a communication link to one of the plurality of providers in dependence on a request of one of the plurality of input means upon an operation thereof for communicating the request to one of the plurality of providers.

Preferably, the input means are associated with data and/or information specifying the communication link, and/or data and/or information specific for the requested provider (e.g. URL-adress), and/or data and/or information and/or service requests for providers accessible by the end user device. Further, the input means can be indicative of a request for assigning functions to the input means remotely controlled by providers accessible by the end user device.

In particular, the plurality of providers is adapted to communicate a response to the end user device in response to the communicated request.

Furthermore, the end user device can be adapted to assign the requests to the plurality of input means and/or to re-assign requests to the plurality of input means in dependence on a request of an operated input means by replacing requests previously assigned to the input means.

For an improved network security, the end user device can comprise an end user device ID uniquely associated with the end user device, and/or an end user ID uniquely identifying a user of the end user device to be communicated by the end user device upon establishing the communication link and/or communicating the request.

In a similar manner, the provider can comprise a provider ID uniquely associated with the provider to be communicated by the provider upon establishing the communication link and/or communicating the request.

An further security improvement can be achieved if the system includes a primary provider for establishing the communication link between the end user device and the provider.

Then it is possible that the primary provider and/or the provider is adapted to control the assignment and/or re-assignment of the requests to the input means.

Preferably, the primary provider is adapted to validate the validity of the end user device ID and/or the end user ID.

Further, the primary provider can be adapted to validate the validity of the provider ID.

In order to execute financial transactions related to the communicated request, the system includes a provider, preferably a provider of financial services, being adapted to be selectively operated in dependence on the request. For Internet applications, the system can include an E-mail provider for establishing at least a part of the communication link and/or for communicating the request.

Moreover, it is possible that the communication link is a communication link specific for the end user device and the provider. Here, data and/or information being indicative of the specific communication link can be associated with the input means such that upon operation thereof the specific communication link is established.

Short description of the drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates a network according to the invention,

Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a request routing according to the invention,

Fig. 3 illustrates a further embodiment of a request routing according to the invention,

Fig. 4 illustrates an end user device according to the invention,

Fig. 5 illustrates a button application handling according to the invention,

Fig. 6 illustrates a button routing according to the invention,

Fig. 7 illustrates a button loading/reloading according to the invention,

Fig. 8A and 8B illustrate different button architectures according to the invention, and

Fig. 9A and 9B illustrate buttons according to the invention having different button levels.

Description of preferred embodiments As shown in Fig. 1, a network N is used for connecting a plurality of end user devices EUD, a plurality of providers P and a plurality of financial service providers FSP with a primary provider PP. Further, a trust center TC can be connected via the network N to the primary provider PP.

The primary provider PP controls and monitors data/information communication between the end user devices EUD, the providers P and the financial service providers FSP, including product/service requests from the end user devices EUD, request related responses from the providers P and payment orders to the financial service providers FSP.

Each end user device EUD comprises an uniquely identifying end user device ID. The end user device IDs are assigned to the end user devices EUD before delivery to and/or installation at respective end user premises.

At the primary provider PP, the end user device IDs are stored in association with personal information for an end user of a respective end user device EUD. Such personal end user related information is provided from the end users to the primary provider PP before the operation of the respective end user device EUD, for example upon ordering an end user device EUD or delivery/installation thereof.

In case an end user device EUD is operated by more than one end user, an uniquely identifying end user ID is assigned to each end user. The end user ID used by the primary provider PP for identifying the respective end users can be provided as a PIN number and/or in form of a token, SIM-card, smart card and the like including end user ID representing data/information.

The identification of an end user device EUD and/or respective end users is accomplished by transferring the end user device ID and/or the end user ID via the network N to the primary provider PP upon operation of the end user device EUD. The end user device ID which is fixedly pre-installed and cannot be changed/modified by end users is automatically communicated to the primary provider PP under control of the end user device EUD when a respective communication link is established. In case the end user device EUD is accessible by different end users, the current end user is required to input his personal end user ID into the end user device EUD. This can be accomplished by any known input means for manually and/or acoustically inputting a personal ID, for example by means of a key pad, a touch screen, a mouse, a microphone and the like. Also, it is contemplated to input the end user ID via an interface for a device comprising end user ID related data/information, for example interfaces for SIM-cards, smart cards, tokens etc. Further, a part of an end user ID can be provided as a personal ID number whereas the remaining part of the end user ID is provided in the form of a device comprising respective end user ID data/information. As a result, the end user is required to input his end user ID by means of the above input means and interfaces.

In order to fulfill national and/or international legal requirements relating to data communication in networks, the end user device IDs and/or the end user IDs can be provided/assigned in cooperation with a trust center TC. Further, the security of the network N is enhanced if the primary provider PP validates received end user device IDs and/or received end user IDs by establishing a suitable communication link to the trust center TC.

Comparable thereto, a provider ID is communicated to and validated by the primary provider PP in order to inform the end user device EUD of the validity, authenticity, and integrity of the provider P. Again, a communication with the trust center TC will enhance the network security.

Comparable to the end user devices EUD, the providers P are registered at the primary provider PP, preferably by means of provider IDs. In association with registration data/information for the providers P, the primary provider PP stores at least some information relating to the products/services of the providers P.

For initiating financial transactions/payments possibly related to products/services requested by an end user, the primary provider PP retrieves respective personal information of the requesting end user and establishes a communication link to one of the financial service providers FSP. In line with data/information communicated by the primary provider PP, the receiving financial service provider FSP executes the respective financial transaction/payment with respect to the provider P providing the requested product/service.

Referring to Fig. 2, the operation of the network N of Fig. 1 is described for one end user device EUD requesting a product/service from one provider P in connection with one financial service provider FSP. Upon start-up, the end user device EUD provides data/information relating to at least some of the products/services which can be requested over the network N to an end user. An embodiment of the end user device EUD and the operation thereof will be described below in greater detail.

The end user operates input means (not shown) of the end user device EUD to select a desired product/service, a desired product/service category, or a desired provider P. Then, the end user device EUD automatically establishes a communication link to the primary provider PP and communicates its end user device ID, optionally in combination with the end user ID of the current end user, to the primary provider PP.

In particular, upon operation of the input means, data/information uniquely assigned to the input means are accessed in order to establish the communication link to the primary provider PP and the provider P respectively. Such data/information which are stored in the end user device EUD by means of a RAM, ROM, floppy/hard/optical memory a chip card, a smart cart, a magnetic strip card, and the like include e.g. the (URL-)address of the primary provider PP and/or of the provider P at least, such data/information a suitable to identify the primary provider PP and/or the provider P in a manner that the necessary communication link can be established. In case, the data/information assigned to the input means do not include the address of the provider P, the request must specify the provider P to the primary provider PP, which in turn establishes the communication link to the provider P.

In general, in a computer network, more than one communication link between the end user device EUD, the primary provider PP, and the provider P is possible. In order to ensure that only secure communication links are used, the established communication link is specific for the end user device EUD and the provider P. Such a predefinition of a specific communication link can be accomplished be assigning respective data/information to the input means. Moreover, the data/information of the input means specifying the communication link can be related to the communication link between the end user device EUD and the primary provider PP, only. Then, the communication link from the primary provider PP to the provider P can be any communication link or, in a similar manner, a predefined specific communication link in the network N. The primary provider PP validates the end user device ID and/or the end user ID. If this validation fails, i. e. the received end user device ID and/or the received end user ID is not valid and/or not registered, the primary provider PP sends a respective response to the end user device EUD. Such a response can include information that the ID validation has failed and a request to input a correct, valid end user ID. In case no valid registered IDs are communicated to the primary provider PP, the communication link to the end user device EUD is interrupted.

If the communicated end user device ID and end user ID are correct, valid, and registered, the end user device EUD communicates a request to the primary provider. The request is generated by the end user device EUD in dependence on the selected product/service (category) and provider, respectively. The end user request is handled by the primary provider PP such that the request is communicated to the provider P providing the requested product/service (category), or to the provider P requested by the end user, respectively.

The request is communicated to the respective provider P via a communication link established under control of the primary provider PP. In addition to the end user request, the primary provider PP communicates further end user related data/information being stored at the primary provider as described above to the provider P. Such further end user related data/information includes name, bank account/credit card number and/or limit, shipment address, etc. of the end user which are required by or necessary for the provider P to provide the desired product/service.

In turn, the provider P communicates a response to the end user device EUD via the primary provider or, as indicated by the dashed line of Fig. 2, directly to the end user device EUD. In dependence on the received product/service request, such a response can include a confirmation that the requested product/service is available to be provided to the end user. In case no specific product/service is requested, such a response can include data/information concerning products/services of the provider P, for example in form of an order list and/or a product/service overview for a selection of specific products/services. Moreover, it is contemplated that the response from the provider P to the end user device EUD comprises the requested product/service itself. Examples for such products/services are software programs, data bases or parts thereof, acoustic and/or video data, any data/information of common interest (e. g. financial, economic, cultural, political information), and the like.

In general, the end user requesting products/services from the provider P is charged for such orders. To accomplish a financial transaction/payment resulting from the end user request, the primary provider PP establishes a communication link to the financial service provider FSP responsible for financial transactions on behalf of the end user. The financial service provider FSP can be designated by the end user at his/her registration at the primary provider PP, the delivery/installation of his/her end user device EUD, and/or in combination with the product/service request. On the basis of the end user related information and the current end user request, the primary provider PP communicates respective data/information to the financial service provider FSP. In turn, the financial service provider FSP executes the financial transaction resulting from the end user device, i. e. transferring the amount of money to the provider P or a financial service provider FSP thereof necessary to pay for the requested product/service.

Again, the utilization of an ID uniquely identifying the financial service provider FSP, in a manner comparable to the end user device ID, the end user ID, and the provider ID, will enhance the network security.

This procedure for routing and handling of end user requests has several advantages. The primary provider PP ensures that only registered authorized end user devices EUD and/or end users are allowed to request/order products/services. Therefore, the providers P are not required to register end user devices EUD and/or end users and validate their identity/authenticity upon a request/order therefrom, as known in the prior art. Since the invention provides for a separation of product/service requests and (financial) transactions resulting therefrom, it is possible to control and monitor such transactions by the primary provider PP. Therefore, the providers P only have to provide the requested products/services but are not concerned with associated (financial) transactions. Moreover, the providers P are ensured to receive the money for provided/delivered products/services, since the primary provider PP initiates such financial transactions independently from end user devices EUD and/or end users.

On the other hand, end users are ensured of the credibility, authenticity and integrity of providers P and/or financial service providers FSP, since the primary provider PP guarantees that only registered, identified and validated providers P and/or financial service providers FSP are allowed to provide their products/services and to actively partizipate for accomplishing the request.

In order to consider the structure of the Internet, it is contemplated that at least some of the communication links between end user devices EUD, providers P, financial service providers FSP and the primary provider PP can be established via an Internet service provider, preferably an E-mail service provider. Such a network structure is schematically illustrated in Fig. 3. In such case, the end user device EUD should additionally comprise known E-mail features, such as an attachment capability.

Since conventional known end user devices (e. g. personal computers) utilized for data communication in a network require experienced users, a novel end user device illustrated in Fig. 4 is used. Beside conventional telephone and network capabilities, this end user device comprises novel features which will be explained in the following.

Referring to Fig. 4, the end user device includes a key pad KP and a hand set HS for conventional telephone and network operation. Additionally, the end user device comprises a visual display VD and a plurality of input means which will be referred to as buttons B. When the end user device is operated to request products/services via a network, available products/services, available product/service categories and/or accessible providers are displayed on the visual display VD.

The visual information of the visual display VD is arranged in special relation to buttons B such that an end user can select a desired product/service (category) and/or provider by pressing a respective button B. Upon pressing one of the buttons B, the above-described operation of the network of Fig. 1 and 2 is initiated. As compared with known end user devices for data communication in a network, this end user device provides for a very user friendly operation since the end user is only requested to press a button.

Fig. 5 illustrates the case wherein at least one visual information of the visual display VD associated with one of the buttons B is related to a product/service which can be provided via the network N, e.g. software programs, data bases, etc. Upon pressing a respective button, an action _1 is triggered. The action _1 triggers a product/service request to the provider P. In turn, the provider P generates a remote replay of the request product/service to the end user device EUD, preferably by a re-configuration thereof to execute the requested application. In Fig. 5, this is indicated by an action _2 displayed on the visual display VD.

Further, the end user device EUD provides for a so-called button routing, illustrated in Fig. 6. Here, the end user presses a button B routing him/her to a desired provider and/or to a provider of the desired products/services. Receiving the button-related request, the provider P communicates a response to the end user device EUD including new data/information to be displayed on the visual display VD. The new data/information is related to further products/services and/or providers which can be selected by pressing a respective button B. This procedure allows for an automatic routing from one provider to another, and/or from one product/services category to another without any interaction of the user beside the pressing of the respective buttons B.

In order to adapt product, service, and/or provider related information on the visual display VD to specific needs of single end users and/or offers of single providers, the information of the visual display VD associated with the buttons B is loaded and/or re-loaded under remote control of a respective provider P and/or the primary provider PP.

As illustrated in Fig. 7, the end user device EUD can be configured and/or reconfigured under control of a provider P or the primary provider PP. Upon request from the end user device EUD, the provider P and/or the primary provider PP or in pre-defined time intervals, a communication link between the provider P or the primary provider PP and the end user device EUD is established. Then, the provider P or the primary provider PP, respectively, transmits data/information including data/information suitable to adapt and/or modify the visual information of the visual display VD to the demands of the respective end user.

Although the buttons B are described to be real, physical buttons arranged adjacent to the visual display VD, it is contemplated to utilize so-called "virtual" buttons (not shown). Such virtual buttons are displayed on the visual display VD in special relation to product, service, and/or provider related information thereof, Here, the visual display VD must comprise touch screen capabilities for operating the virtual buttons. While the fixed arrangement of the real, physical buttons B requires a specific arrangement of the visual information of the visual display VD, the use of virtual buttons allows any arrangement thereof in relation to a respective visual information which can be realized on the visual display VD.

In order to consider the complex structure of the Internet and the large number of different communication links possible in the Internet, the functional structure of the buttons B can be a hierarchical structure and/or a star-shaped structure, as shown in Fig. 8A and 8B. For the hierarchical button structure, the operation of a button B results in a button associated information on the visual display VD for the next functional button level. For example, an end user presses a button B indicative of travel products/services on the basis of visual display information for button level 1, the visual display information for a button level 2 is at least partially indicative of providers for travel products/services. Examples for such visual display information for button levels 1 and 2 are illustrated in Fig. 9A and 9B.

In contrast to the hierarchical structure of Fig. 8A, the star-shaped functional button structure of Fig. 8B does not employ hierarchically arranged button levels, but a functional button structure where the operation of a button can lead to any button related visual information for which the end user device is configured.

Claims

1. A method for routing a request from an end user device (EUD) to a provider (P) in a network (N), including: - operating one of a plurality of input means (B) of an end user device

(EUD) indicative of a request,

- automatically establishing a communication link to a provider (P) in dependence on the request of said operated input means (B),

- communicating said request to said provider (P), and - communicating a response to said end user device (EUD) in dependence on said request.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said requests are assigned to said input means (B), said requests including data and/or information specifying said communication link, and/or data and/or information specific for said provider (P), and/or data and/or information and/or service requests for providers (P) accessible by said end user device (EUD), and/or a request for assigning functions to said input means (B) remotely controlled by providers (P) accessible by said end user device (EUD).

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, subsequently to said operating of said input means (B), including:

- re-assigning requests to said input means (B) in dependence on said request of said operated input means (B) by replacing requests previously assigned to said input means (B), and

- operating one of said input means (B) indicative of a respective one of said re-assigned requests, whereby said communication link is established in dependence on said re-assigned requests of said input means (B) lastly operated and said response is communicated to said end user device (EUD) in dependence on said re-assigned request communicated to said provider (P).

4. The method of one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said communicating of said request includes:

- communicating of an end user device ID uniquely associated with said end user device (EUD), and/or - communicating of an end user ID uniquely identifying a user of said end user device (EUD), and/or communicating of a provider ID uniquely associated with said provider (P).

5. The method of one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said communication link is established via a primary provider (PP).

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said assigning and/or said re-assigning of said requests is performed by said primary provider (PP) and/or said provider (P) upon said establishing of said communication link and/or upon said communicating of said request and/or under control of said primary provider (P) and/or said provider (P) by establishing a communication link for communicating suitable data to said end user device (EUD).

7. The method of claim 5 or 6, including: - validating said end user device ID or said end user ID by said primary provider (PP) and communicating data being indicative of a result of said validation to said provider (P) in order to inform said provider (P) of the validity of said end user device ID and/or said end user ID, and/or validating said provider ID by said primary provider (PP) and communicating data being indicative of a result of said validation to said end user device (EUD) in order to inform said end user device (EUD) of the validity of said provider ID.

8. The method of one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said establishing of said communication link includes: - automatically establishing a communication link to a further provider (P), preferably a provider of financial services, for initiating transactions related to said request.

9. The method of one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one part of said communication link is established via an E-mail provider (ISP).

10. The method of one of the claims 1 to 9, wherein at least one part of said communication link is established as a communication link specific for said end user device (EUD) and said provider (P).

11. A system for routing a request from an end user device (EUD) to a provider (P) in a network (N), comprising:

- a plurality of providers (P), each thereof being adapted to be operated in response to a request,

- an end user device (EUD) for communicating said request to one of said plurality of providers (P), and

- a network ( ) for selectively connecting said end user device (EUD) with one of said plurality of providers (P), wherein - said end user device (EUD) comprises a plurality of input means, each thereof being indicative of a request, and

- said end user device (EUD) being adapted to automatically establish a communication link to one of said plurality of providers (P) in dependence on a request of one of said plurality of input means (B) upon an operation thereof for communicating said request to one of said plurality of providers (P).

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said plurality of providers (P) is adapted to communicate a response to said end user device (EUD) in response to said communicated request.

13. The system of claim 11 or 12, wherein said end user device (EUD) is adapted to assign said requests to said plurality of input means (B) and/or to reassign requests to said plurality of input means (B) in dependence on a request of an operated input means (B) by replacing requests previously assigned to said input means (B).

14. The system of one of claims 11 to 13, wherein said end user device (EUD) comprises an end user device ID uniquely associated wjth said end user device (EUD), and/or an end user ID uniquely identifying a user of said end user device (EUD) to be communicated by said end user device (EUD) upon establishing said communication link and/or communicating said request, and/or said provider (T) comprises a provider ID uniquely associated with said provider (P) to be communicated by said provider (P) upon establishing said communication link and/or communication said response.

15. The system of one of claims 11 to 14, including a primary provider (PP) for establishing said communication link between said end user device (EUD) and said provider (P).

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said primary provider (P) and/or said provider (P) is adapted to control the assignment and/or re-assignment of said requests to said input means (B).

17. The system of claim 15 or 16, wherein said primary provider (PP) is adapted to validate the validity of said end user device ID and/or said end user ID, and/or said provider ID.

18. The system of one of claims 11 to 17, including a provider (P), preferably a provider of financial services, being adapted to be selectively operated in dependence on said request.

19. The system of one of claims 11 to 18, including an E-mail provider (P) for establishing at least a part of said communication link and/or for communicating said request.

20. The system of one of the claims 11 to 19, wherein said communication link is a communication link at least partially specific for said end user device (EUD) and said provider (P).

21. The system of one of claims 11 to 22, being operated by the method of claim 1.