System and method for service invocation and response with a communication device

• US 20080009273A1
• Filed: 08/13/2007
• Published: 01/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VHT Starstar LLC
• Original Assignee: Zoove Corporation (Medallia, Inc.)
• Inventors: Christensen, Gerald, Jemison, Timothy
• Granted Patent: US 8,718,686 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/18 Service support devices; Network management devices

Abstract

A system and method for enabling a user to invoke a service over a signaling channel in a communication system with a communication device such as a mobile phone. The user dials a series of digits into their phone and enters them into the disclosed system, for example by pressing the send key on a mobile phone. The digits entered by the user include a prefix or routing code, and a data code. The dialed digits are transferred to a call switching system, which determines, based on the prefix code, a processing system to which a message is sent. The processing system further determines, based on the data code of the dialed digits, the service to provide and how the service should be fulfilled. The service can be fulfilled by content over the signaling channel or a transport channel, or both.

Claims

1. A method for invoking services in a communication system, comprising:

receiving a data code at a data service processing system through a signaling channel of the communication system, the data code indicating a service to be invoked;

determining a service fulfillment based on the indicated service invocation from the data code; and

fulfilling the service indicated by the data code in accordance with a fulfillment description in the data service processing system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a data code further comprises receiving information about a communication device from which the data code originates.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising determining if the communication device is associated with a user account.

4. A system for providing services to a user of a communication device in a communication system, comprising:

a communication switch for processing call information, the switch being operable to recognize a data code indicating a service to be invoked and suspend call processing upon recognition of the data code and forward the data code over a signaling channel;

a data service processing system coupled to the switch and operable to receive the data code; and

a service fulfillment engine in the data service processing system for associating the data code with a service and being operable to determine a service fulfillment technique.