My last post here was about mobile & embedded programming and I there is a point inside inside where I referred to the Pmobile application.
This new post will let you know about some features of Pmobile.
1.1 What it is
PMobile is an application developed to enable users purchase prepaid electricity tokens. It runs on Java-enabled mobile phones and is accessed from the phone’s ‘applications’ menu.
From the architectural point of view, the application is based on a client /server setup whereby the mobile client sends a request to a remote web service that in turn requests electricity tokens from the service provider’s (electricity provider) system.
The received tokens are then loaded into the electricity meter at the consumer’s premises. The token contains the total value of electricity purchased.
1.2 Why it is needed
The application was developed in Rwanda where electricity consumers have meters for prepaid electricity. The application solves the problem of long queues and moving long distances to purchase electricity from the few points of sale. These points of sale also may not be open at certain hours of the day (for example late at night), so the application is useful in the sense that you can purchase at any time, anywhere as long as the phone used has an Internet connection.
To use the system, users first open an account at www.pivotaccess.com . The types of accounts are post-paid, prepaid or resellers. Therefore, the application does not only bring about convenience but also the possibility of doing business as resellers of electricity.
1.3 How it is implemented
Pmobile application was implemented using the latest Java ME technologies with MIDP 2.0 and CLDC 1.1 profiles. It’s a client application that implements a protocol of our web services (http://mobile.pivotaccess.com); our web services are implemented in Java/J2EE.
Some of the features that Pmobile application covers on the technical level are:
-XML HTTP POST to implement the web service protocol
-The data transferred over the network are encrypted by our self-designed algorithm
-The XML parsing with mini Kxml library
-When a token is purchased the user has option to forward it to someone via SMS .This is implemented with Java Wireless Messaging API.
-The tokens purchased are stored in a record store and the user can access it or delete it at any time .This is implemented with the RMS API.
-Security concepts taken in mind: i.e. no password is kept in the phone memory, data encryption, no malicious behavior, read-only access to the Contact List when the user wants to forward an SMS.
-However the user has an option to save his user-name and default electricity meter no in his settings.
-Ability to check the meter ownership before purchasing.
The Pmobile is free and can be downloaded at http://mobile.pivotaccess.com .
The Pmobile Application is a Competitor in the Nokia Forum Calling All Innovators Contest .
