Method of propagating a message and corresponding communications devices for the same

• US 20030112783A1
• Filed: 12/10/2002
• Published: 06/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Rankin, Paul J.
• Application Number:
  US10/315,812
• Publication Number:
  US 20030112783A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/045 using payment protocols involving tickets
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/223 based on the use of peer-to-peer networks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/56 for VoIP communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/68 Payment of value-added services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8083 involving reduced rates or discounts, e.g. time-of-day reductions or volume discounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0184 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 2215/0196 Payment of value-added services, mainly when their charges are added on the telephone bill, e.g. payment of non-telecom services, e-commerce, on-line banking
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/202 VoIP; Packet switched telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/22 Bandwidth or usage-sensitve billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems

Abstract

A method of propagating a message is disclosed together with corresponding communications devices for the same. The method comprises the steps of (i) transmitting the message from a first communications device (IB) to a second communications device (MT1); (ii) transmitting the message, part of the message or a related message to a third communications device (MT2, MT3, MT4, DU) which is identified by an address contained in the second communications device (MT1); and (iii) providing a computer automated reward to an entity associated with the second communications device (MT1) in relation to the message transmitted to the third communications device in step (ii), wherein, at least prior to step (i), the address identifying the third communications device (MT2, MT3, MT4, DU) is unknown to the first communications device (IB).

Claims

1. A method of propagating a message comprising the steps of:

(i) transmitting the message from a first communications device to a second communications device;

(ii) transmitting the message, part of the message or a related message to a third communications device which is identified by an address contained in the second communications device; and

(iii) providing a computer automated reward to an entity associated with the second communications device in relation to the message transmitted to the third communications device in step (ii),

wherein, at least prior to step (i), the address identifying the third communications device is unknown to the first communications device.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein, in step (ii), the message transmitted to the third communications device is transmitted from the second communications device.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the automated reward is provided upon transmitting the message to the third communications device from the second communications device.

4. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of transmitting the address identifying the third communications device from the second communications device wherein, in step (ii), the message transmitted to the third communications device is transmitted from a communications device, other than the second communications device, which has received the address identifying the third communications device from the second communications device.

5. A method according to claim 2 wherein the automated reward is provided upon transmitting the address identifying the third communications device from the second communications device.

6. A method according to claim 4 wherein the address identifying the third communications device is transmitted from the second communications device to the first communications device;

and wherein the message transmitted to the third communications device is transmitted from the first communications device.

7. A method according to claim 4 wherein the address identifying the third communications device is transmitter from the second communications device to a fourth communications device via the first communications device;

and wherein the message transmitted to the third communications device is transmitted from the fourth communications device.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first communications device is an information beacon configured to wirelessly broadcast the message to receivers located nearby, in range of the beacon;

and wherein the second communications device contains a short range communications receiver for receiving the broadcast of the beacon.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein the second communications device is a mobile cellular telephone having an address book containing the address of the third communications device.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the second communications device contains a communications receiver, other than one used for communication with a cellular telephone network, for receiving messages broadcast wirelessly from a nearby transmitter.

11. A method according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the third mobile communications device is a computer which is identified by an email address.

12. A method according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the third mobile communications device is a mobile cellular telephone which is identified by a telephone number.

13. A method according to claim 1 wherein the message comprises advertising.

14. A method according to claim 1 wherein the messages comprises an e-voucher to be redeemed for goods or services, or a discount thereon.

15. A method according to claim 1 wherein the reward comprises a voucher to be redeemed for goods or services, or a discount thereon.

16. A method according to claim 15 wherein the voucher is an e-voucher and is transmitted to the second communications device.

17. A method according to claim 15 wherein the reward comprises money which is credited to an account belonging to the entity associated with the second communications device.

18. A method according to claim 15 wherein the second communications device is a mobile cellular telephone and the reward via the corresponding cellular telephone network provider.

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein the reward is in the form of air time.

20. A communications system comprising:

first and second communications devices wherein the first communications device is configured to transmit a message to the second communications device whereby, at least prior to transmission of that message, the second communication contains an address identifying a third communications device unbeknown to the first communications device; and

a computer reward system configured to provide a computer automated reward to an entity associated with the second communications device upon either the message or part of the message being forwarded to the third communications device from the second communications device.

21. A communications system comprising:

first and second communications devices wherein the first communications device is configured to transmit a message to the second communications device whereby, at least prior to transmission of that message, the second communication contains an address identifying a third communications device unbeknown to the first communications device; and

a computer reward system configured to provide a computer automated reward to an entity associated with the second communications device upon transmitting the address identifying the third communications device from the second communications device.

22. A communications system according to claim 21 wherein the second communications device is configured to transmit the address identifying the third communications device to the first communications device;

and wherein the first communications device is configured to transmit the message originally transmitted to the second communications device, part of that message or a related message to the third communications device.

23. A communications system according to claim 21 further comprising a fourth communications device, wherein the second communications device is configured to transmit the address identifying the third communications device to a fourth device via the first communications device;

and wherein the fourth communications device is configured to transmit the message originally transmitted to the second communications device, part of that message or a related message to the third communications device.

24. An information beacon configured to wirelessly broadcast to a communications device located nearby, in range of the beacon, a message containing an invitation directed to the entity associated with the communications device to forward the message or part thereof to another communications device and receive a computer automated reward for doing so.

25. An information beacon configured to wirelessly broadcast to a communications device located nearby, in range of the beacon, a message containing an invitation directed to the entity associated with the communications device to transmitting an address identifying another communications device and receive a computer automated reward for doing so.

26. A communications device configured to receive a message and automatically recognize in that message an invitation directed to the entity associated with the communications device to forward the message or part thereof to another communications device and receive a computer automated reward for doing so.

27. A communications device configured to receive a message and automatically recognize in that message an invitation directed to the entity associated with the communications device to transmit an address identifying another communications device and receive a computer automated reward for doing so.