Systems and methods for object identification

• US 20060046753A1
• Filed: 08/26/2005
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mobile 365 Incorporated (SAP SE)
• Original Assignee: Mobile 365 Incorporated (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Lovell, Robert C. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US11/211,617
• Publication Number:
  US 20060046753A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/466
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/5838 using colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/32 Post and telecommunications franking apparatus G07B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/60 Business processes related to postal services shipping G06Q10/083; franking apparatus G07B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/95 structured as a network, e.g. client-server architectures
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/98 Detection or correction of errors, e.g. by rescanning the pattern or by human intervention; Evaluation of the quality of the acquired patterns
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/142 using hand-held instruments; Constructional details of the instruments
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/14 using user query or user detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information

Abstract

Methods and systems for providing information services over a communications network include steps and structure for receiving an inquiry message from a mobile subscriber relating to an information service that is desired by the mobile subscriber, routing the inquiry message for processing, performing one or more activities in accordance with the requested information service, and returning a response message to the mobile subscriber.

Claims

1. A method for providing information services over a communications network, comprising:

receiving an inquiry message from a mobile subscriber;

routing the inquiry message for processing;

performing one or more identification techniques; and

returning a response message to said mobile subscriber.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the inquiry message comprises an Multimedia Message Service (MMS) message.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving is performed by at least one of a wireless carrier, an inter-carrier vendor, a gateway and an identification service.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification techniques employ at least one automated facility.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the automated facility performs image or pattern recognition.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification techniques employ at least one manually-applied facility.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification techniques are dynamically determined based on quality-of-service levels.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the response message is an MMS message.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the response message is an SMS message.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the response message contains explanatory text.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the response message contains a URL.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the response message contains an advertisement.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising capturing financial information.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising capturing quality-of-service target information.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing includes generating a line-item charge for inclusion on the mobile subscriber'"'"'s telephone bill.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing includes at least one of collecting funds and distributing funds.

17. A method for providing information services, comprising:

receiving a message, initiated by a mobile subscriber, that includes information about which an inquiry is being made;

analyzing the information by forwarding at least one of the message and the information to an appropriate analyzing entity, the analyzing entity being at least able to identify and associate identity data with the information;

generating a response message that includes the identity data; and

addressing the response message such that the response message can be routed to the mobile subscriber.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the information comprises an image and the step of analyzing comprises at least one of automatic pattern recognition and manual analysis.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of analyzing comprises determining a level of quality of service to apply to the message and performing analysis steps commensurate with said level of quality of service.

20. A system for providing information services over a communications network, comprising:

an inter-carrier vendor network that is in communication with at least one provider network and its associated mobile wireless subscribers via their respective mobile wireless devices; and

an information service,

the system being operable to route an inquiry message relating to an information service that is desired by one of the mobile subscribers from said mobile wireless device through the provider network to the information service via the inter-carrier vendor network resulting in an appropriate set of processing activities in accordance with said requested information service and the dispatch of a response message to said mobile wireless device.