System and method for providing commercial services over a wireless communication network
First Claim
1. A data processing and communication method for providing commercial services over a wireless communication network to at least one user utilizing a mobile communication device configured for bi-directional communication over the wireless communication network with a service control system utilizing at least one of a short message service (SMS), or a multimedia message service (MMS) protocols, comprising the steps of:
- (a) in response to a trigger event, selecting, by the at least one user through the corresponding mobile communication device, a service offered by a service provider;
(b) confirming a purchase of said service by the at least one user;
(c) obtaining, by the service control system, payment for said service from the at least one user; and
(d) transmitting a unique confirmation code to the at least one user confirming purchase of said service.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The inventive system provides real-time commercial services to users of mobile communication devices (MCDs) over a wireless communication network utilizing the short message service protocol (SMS). The inventive system establishes a dialog with a user of an MCD utilizing SMS to present the user with commercial service options and to allow the user to quickly and easily purchase the services by sending minimal SMS responses during the dialog process. Preferably, prior to utilization of the inventive system, the user subscribes with a service provider to pre-arrange payment options for purchased services, to provide information helpful in tailoring offered services and service options to the user, and optionally to receive enhanced services (such as discounted and/or last minute offers, etc.). Utilization of the inventive system occurs in three phases: trigger, purchase and claim. During the trigger phase (user or service provider initiated), the service to be purchased is selected. During the purchase phase, the user selects the grade and quantity of services to be purchased and authorizes payment which is processed by the service provider and thereafter receives a unique service code. During the claim phase, the user presents the service code at the service location, which is then verified using a local terminal, and the service is then delivered to the user. The inventive dialog process can be advantageously and readily configured for a wide variety of commercial services, including, but not limited to entertainment site admissions and travel.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A data processing and communication method for providing commercial services over a wireless communication network to at least one user utilizing a mobile communication device configured for bi-directional communication over the wireless communication network with a service control system utilizing at least one of a short message service (SMS), or a multimedia message service (MMS) protocols, comprising the steps of:
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(a) in response to a trigger event, selecting, by the at least one user through the corresponding mobile communication device, a service offered by a service provider;
(b) confirming a purchase of said service by the at least one user;
(c) obtaining, by the service control system, payment for said service from the at least one user; and
(d) transmitting a unique confirmation code to the at least one user confirming purchase of said service. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A data processing and communication method for enabling a user to purchase parking services for a parked predetermined vehicle over a wireless communication network utilizing a mobile communication device (MCD) configured for bi-directional communication over the wireless communication network with a parking control system utilizing at least one of a short message service (SMS), or a multimedia message service (MMS) protocols, comprising the steps of:
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(a) at a later time transmitting, by the user via the MCD to the parking control system, a selected number of parking time units to be purchased;
(b) obtaining, by the parking control system, payment for said said selected number of parking time units from the at least one user;
(c) confirming a purchase of said parking time units by the parking control system; and
(d) recording, by the parking control system, said parking time unit purchase for said predetermined vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A data processing and communication system for providing commercial services over a wireless communication network to at least one user utilizing a mobile communication device configured for bi-directional communication over the wireless communication network, comprising:
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at least one service system, controlled by a corresponding service provider, operable to offer at least one service to the at least one user, through the corresponding mobile communication device; and
a control system communicating with said at least one service system and the mobile communication device over the wireless communication network, operable to;
in response to a trigger event, provide the at least one user with an opportunity to purchase said at least one offered service;
receive a confirmation of purchase of said at least one offered service by the at least one user;
obtain payment for said at least one offered service from the at least user; and
transmit a unique confirmation code to the at least one user confirming purchase of said at least one offered service. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification