On demand multicast messaging system

• US 6,681,114 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2000
• Issued: 01/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Chang, Li Fung, Luo, Hui, Qiu, Xiaoxin
• Primary Examiner(s): Appiah, Charles
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ly, Nghi H.
• Application Number:
  US09/731,345
• Publication Number:
  US 20020102967A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,140 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456.3, 455/432.1, 455/414.1, 455/414.2, 455/466, 455/412.1, 455/412.2, 455/414.3, 455/414.4, 370/432, 370/390, 370/428, 370/338, 370/347, 370/350, 705/26, 705/402, 705/27, 379/114.13
• US Class Current: 455/456.3
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/18 for broadcast or conference , e.g. multicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/222 using geographical location information, e.g. messages transmitted or received in proximity of a certain spot or area
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/53 using third party service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/23 for mobile advertising

Abstract

An on-demand message system includes a profile proxy server and a plurality of message servers coupled to a wireless network for sending messages to mobile users under conditions specified by the users and sellers. Users provide profile information specifying categories and conditions for which they will receive messages. Sellers also provide profile information specifying conditions under which they want messages to be sent. A multicast message is sent and processed by target users in response to a predetermined event, e.g., location update, conveying information related to a seller for which the target users have expressed an interest in receiving.

Claims

1. A method of broadcasting messages to users of a mobile on-demand messaging system, comprising:

obtaining user profile information containing category and condition data for a user of the on-demand messaging system;

obtaining seller profile information containing category and condition data for a seller associated with the on-demand messaging system;

generating a desired service ID pool for a first user based upon the category and condition data in the user profile;

downloading the desired service ID pool to the first user;

generating a service instance ID for a first seller based upon the category data in the seller profile;

transmitting a multicast message from a base station currently serving the user, the multicast message containing seller category information.

2. The method according to claim 1, further including transmitting a multicast message in response to a user request to receive information regarding sellers within a particular category.

3. The method according to claim 1, further including transmitting a multicast message containing category, at least one subcategory, and seller ID information.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the user profile condition data includes at least one condition selected from the group consisting of time of day, maximum number of messages, day of the week, distance from seller, and type of message.

5. The method according to claim 1, further including transmitting multicast messages under conditions specified by a seller identified in the multicast message.

6. The method according to claim 5, further including transmitting the multicast message with at least one condition selected from the group consisting of time, day, and number of users proximate the seller.

7. The method according to claim 1, further including storing user profile information in a database associated with a message server local to a user'"'"'s home location.

8. The method according to claim 7, further including contacting the message server via a profile proxy server.

9. The method according to claim 8, further including obtaining user information via the Internet.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the desired service ID pool includes at least one user service ID and at least one ID mask.

11. The method according to claim 10, further including determining whether the first user should process the multicast message based upon the user service ID, the ID mask, and the multicast message.

12. The method according to claim 11, further including logically ANDing the ID mask and a corresponding portion of the multicast message.

13. The method according to claim 12, further including comparing the logical AND to the user service ID.

14. The method according to claim 1, further including monitoring the location of the user.

15. The method according to claim 14, further including transferring the user profile information to a message server serving a cell in which the user is currently located from a message server with the user initially provided the profile information.

16. The method according to claim 15, further including transmitting multicast messages when a number of users proximate a particular seller becomes greater than a predetermined threshold.

17. The method according to claim 15, further including transmitting multicast messages when a number of users proximate a seller that is within a category for which the user has specified a preference to receive messages is greater than a predetermined threshold.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the seller can select the predetermined threshold.