Service access using limited set of characters
First Claim
1. A method of using a server to provide access to a plurality of unrelated types of services, to a user communicating from a remote terminal to the server, comprising the steps of:
- at the server, detecting a service access command sent from the user, the service access command comprising an indication of a service type, the service access command having a syntax which uses only characters selected from alphanumeric characters, and the "#" character, and the "*" character;
interpreting the service access command to identify the service type, to detect if the service access command further comprises one or more parameters relating to the service, and to identify any such parameters; and
initiating the provision of a service to the user according to the service type indication detected in the service access command.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Using a server to provide access to a plurality of unrelated types of services, to a user communicating from a remote terminal to the server, by detecting a service access command sent from the user, the service access command comprising an indication of a service type, the service access command having a syntax which uses only alphanumeric characters, or "#" or "*" characters. Interpreting the command involves extracting the service type, to detect if the command further comprises one or more parameters relating to the service, extracting any such parameters and initiating the provision of the selected service. By having a server which understands commands in a form having a syntax using a limited set of characters, service access from telephones or terminals with smaller keyboards, becomes easier.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of using a server to provide access to a plurality of unrelated types of services, to a user communicating from a remote terminal to the server, comprising the steps of:
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at the server, detecting a service access command sent from the user, the service access command comprising an indication of a service type, the service access command having a syntax which uses only characters selected from alphanumeric characters, and the "#" character, and the "*" character; interpreting the service access command to identify the service type, to detect if the service access command further comprises one or more parameters relating to the service, and to identify any such parameters; and initiating the provision of a service to the user according to the service type indication detected in the service access command. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of using a remote terminal to access a range of unrelated types of services available by communicating with a server, the server being arranged to detect a service access command sent from the user;
- to interpret the command to identify the service type;
to detect if the service access command further comprises one or more parameters relating to the service, and identify any such parameters; and
being arranged to initiate the provision of a service to the user according to the service type indication detected in the service access command, the method of using the remote terminal comprising the step of;generating and sending to the server the service access command, which comprises an indication of a service type, and which, when sent, uses a syntax which uses only characters selected from alphanumeric characters, and the "#" character, and the "*" character. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
- to interpret the command to identify the service type;
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14. A method of using a server to provide access to a plurality of unrelated types of services, to a user communicating from a remote terminal to the server, comprising the steps of:
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at the server, detecting a service access command sent from the user, the service access command comprising an indication of a service type, the service access command having a syntax which uses only characters selected from alphanumeric characters, and the "#" character, and the "*" character, the service access command further comprising one or more parameters relating to the service, and received from the user without sending a prompt to the user; interpreting the service access command to identify the service type, and to identify the one or more parameters; and initiating the provision of a service to the user according to the service type indication detected in the service access command.
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15. A server for providing access to a plurality of unrelated types of services, to a user communicating from a remote terminal to the server, the server comprising:
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detection means arranged to detect a service access command sent from the user, the service access command comprising an indication of a service type, the service access command having a syntax which uses only characters selected from alphanumeric characters, and the "#" character, and the "*" character; interpreting means arranged to interpret the service access command to identify the service type; parameter detection means arranged to detect if the service access command further comprises one or more parameters relating to the service, and identify any such parameters; and service initiating means, operable according to the service type indication detected in the service access command, to initiate the provision of the service to the user. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. Software stored on a machine readable medium for carrying out a method of using a server to provide access to a plurality of unrelated types of services, to a user communicating from a remote terminal to the server, comprising the steps of:
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at the server, detecting a service access command sent from the user, the service access command comprising an indication of a service type, the service access command having a syntax which uses only characters selected from alphanumeric characters, and the "#" character, and the "*" character; interpreting the service access command to extract the service type, to detect if the service access command further comprises one or more parameters relating to the service, and extract any such parameters; and initiating the provision of a service to the user according to the service type indication detected in the service access command.
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Specification