System and method of providing information to a subscriber through a wireless device

• US 20030027555A1
• Filed: 03/22/2002
• Published: 02/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Single Touch Interactive Incorporated (SITO Mobile, Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: William Reber LLC
• Inventors: Malackowski, James E., Stathis, Kristi L.
• Granted Patent: US 6,839,556 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/41 Billing record details, i.e. parameters, identifiers, structure of call data record [CDR]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/50 for cross-charging network operators
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8083 involving reduced rates or discounts, e.g. time-of-day reductions or volume discounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/00 Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0164 Billing record, e.g. Call Data Record [CDR], Toll Ticket[TT], Automatic Message Accounting [AMA], Call Line Identifier [CLI], details, i.e. parameters, identifiers, structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0184 involving reduced rates or discounts, e.g. time-of-day reductions, volume discounts, cell discounts, group billing, frequent calling destination(s) or user history list
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0192 Sponsored, subsidised calls via advertising, e.g. calling cards with ads or connecting to special ads, free calling time by purchasing goods
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/52 Interconnection, inter-exchange, reseller billing, billing agreements between different operators, e.g. billing identifier added on the CDR in order to cross charge the other operator, inter-operator accounting, reconciliation, bill directly resellers customers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/382 using authorisation codes or passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4878 Advertisement messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0435 Details
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13091 CLI, identification of calling line
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 PIN / Access code, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13098 Mobile subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1313 Metering, billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13141 : Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13179 : Fax, still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13209 : ISDN
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13333 : Earth satellites
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13374 : Paging
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13405 : Dual frequency signaling, DTMF
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 : Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 : Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 : Accounting or billing

Abstract

A information fulfillment system and method for providing information to a caller having a wireless communication device. Upon receipt of sensory prompting and manual or automatic input of access codes to the wireless communication device, the caller'"'"'s identity and the input access code are verified. Thereafter, the call is connected through the PWN and along the PSTN to the system messaging or fulfillment center for automatic or live-operator delivery of the requested information. Automatic verification, connection, and billing modification processes are provided for implementation of the system and method.

Claims

1. A method for providing information from an informational fulfillment system to at least one caller having a wireless communication device comprising the steps of:

prompting the caller to utilize the system by providing at least one access code to said caller;

initiation of a call to the system through dialing of said at least one access code into said wireless communications device;

directing said call along the public wireless network to said informational fulfillment system; and

delivery of said information to said caller from said informational fulfillment system along said wireless communication device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said prompting comprises receiving wireless prompting transmissions and automatically generating call initiation signals based thereon.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said call initiation is conducted by said caller providing input to said wireless communication device.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said directing of said call along the public wireless network further comprises switching said call from said public wireless network to the PSTN.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising, prior to said switching of said call, the steps of:

verifying access to said system using said at least one access code; and

determining billing procedures for said call if access is verified.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising terminating said call if access is not verified.

7. The method of claim 5 further comprising establishing new billing procedures for said call if access is not verified.

8. The method of claim 4 wherein said switching comprises the steps of:

translating said at least one access code to a PSTN number; and

routing said call on said public switch telephone network by dialing said PSTN number.

9. The method of claim 4 wherein said directing further comprises routing said call from said PSTN to a messaging center of said information fulfillment center.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said delivery comprises automatically prompting said caller to select information.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising said user entering at least one information source code to select information in response to said prompting.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said user entering of at least one information source code comprises entering the combination of the access code entered by the caller and ANI, NPA or NPA and NXX passed to the information fulfillment system using ISDN technology.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein said delivery of said information comprises matching the user entered information source code and data supplied by ISDN technology to stored entries and accessing one of said stored entries based upon said matching.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein said user entering of at least one information source code comprises entering the combination of the access code entered by the caller and ANI, NPA or NPA and NXX Passed to the information fulfillment system using DNIS technology.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein said delivery of said information comprises matching the user entered information source code and data supplied by DNIS technology to stored entries and accessing one of said stored entries based upon said matching.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein said delivery of said information comprises accessing stored information and providing same along said wireless communication device.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein said delivery of said information comprises connecting said caller to a live system operator.

18. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

monitoring the duration of the call; and

modifying billing procedures if the call duration exceeds a preset period.

19. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

receiving a call transfer request from said caller;

modifying billing procedures based upon said call transfer request; and

transferring said call.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein said wireless communication device is connected to at least one means for generating printed matter and further comprising the steps of:

identifying the presence of said means for generating printed matter; and

transmitting printed fulfillment automatically.

21. An informational fulfillment system for providing information to at least one caller having wireless transmission means including means for generating at least one wireless transmission comprising at least one information access code, comprising:

means for supplying information access codes to said at least one caller;

one or more fulfillment centers for delivery of fulfillment information; and

means for receiving at least one wireless transmission from said wireless transmission means and for transferring said at least one wireless transmission to one or more fulfillment centers based upon said at least one information access code.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein said means for receiving at least one wireless transmission and for transferring said wireless transmission further comprises means for verifying said at least one wireless transmission.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein said means for verifying comprises means for recognizing said at least one access code and means for verifying identity of said caller.

24. The system of claim 21 wherein said means for receiving at least one wireless transmission and for transferring said wireless transmission comprises means for translating said access code to a land-line telephone number and means for transferring said wireless transmission into a wired call along the PSTN.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein the wireless communication device comprises a vehicle telephone and wherein said telephone is connected to the vehicle'"'"'s on board computer.

26. The system of claim 21, wherein the wireless communication device comprises a vehicle telephone which is connected to the vehicle position system.

27. The system of claim 21, wherein the wireless communication device is a vehicle telephone which is connected to the vehicle'"'"'s safety systems.

28. The system of claim 21, wherein the wireless communication device is a vehicle telephone which is connected to an in-vehicle facsimile machine or specialized printer.

29. The system of claim 21, wherein the wireless communication device is a vehicle telephone which is connected to an Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems (IVHS).

30. The system of claim 21, wherein the wireless communication device is a vehicle telephone connected to the vehicle'"'"'s AM/FM radio.