Method for transmitting a message to a mobile station

• US 6,684,068 B1
• Filed: 04/27/2000
• Issued: 01/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Pahkala, Hannu, Tikka, Mauri
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZEWDU, MELESS NMN
• Application Number:
  US09/559,980
• Time in Patent Office: 1,370 Days
• Field of Search: 455/412, 455/413, 455/422, 455/424, 455/425, 455/426, 455/456, 455/458, 455/459, 455/461, 455/418, 455/419, 455/420, 455/422.1, 455/412.1, 455/412.2
• US Class Current: 455/412.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/30 Determination of the location of a subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5322 for recording text messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for transmitting a message to a mobile station, which method comprises the steps of: storing a predetermined message in a memory means, and specifying a receiver for the message stored, the receiver consisting of one or more mobile stations. In order to improve user-frieidliness associated with transmission of messages, the method comprises the steps of: specifying an area corresponding to the message stored, monitoring the location of the receiver specified for the message, and retrieving said message from the memory means and transmitting it to the user of a receiving mobile station when the receiving mobile station arrives in said area.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting a message to a mobile station, which method comprises:

storing with a subscriber station of a telecommunication system a predetermined message in a memory means,

specifying a receiver for the message stored, the receiver comprising one or more mobile stations;

specifying with said subscriber station an area corresponding to the message stored,

monitoring the location of the receiver specified for the message, and

retrieving said message from the memory means and transmitting the message to the user of a receiving mobile station when the receiving mobile station arrives in said area.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprising:

specifying all mobile stations within the system as the receivers,

monitoring the location of all the mobile stations approaching said area, and

transmitting the message to the mobile stations arriving in said area.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said message comprises a text message, preferably of a short message.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said message comprises a voice message, whereby the method comprises the steps of:

setting up a call to the receiver when the receiver arrives in the area, and transmitting said voice message to the receiver.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the area corresponding to the message is specified by:

arranging said subscriber station into said area,

storing the message in the memory means by using said subscriber station located in said area, and

in connection with storing the message, storing in the memory means information indicating the location of the subscriber station used for storing the message.

6. A mobile communication system comprising

a mobile services switching center,

radio means having a data transmission connection to the mobile services switching center for setting up a connection to mobile stations by radio signals,

memory means for receiving and storing a message from a subscriber station of a telecommunication system, said message being designated for one or more mobile stations,

means for storing in the memory means information from said subscriber station indicating a reception area corresponding to the message stored in the memory means,

monitor means for monitoring the location of at least one mobile station, for which mobile station a message is stored in the memory means, and

transmitter means which are responsive to the monitor means for transmitting the message stored in the memory means to the mobile station monitored when said mobile station is located within the reception to the message in question.

7. The mobile communication system as claimed in claim 6, wherein

mobile station comprises location means for detecting its location and transmitter means for transmitting information indicating the location of the mobile station to the other parts of the system at predetermined intervals, and that

the monitor means are arranged to receive the information indicating the location of said mobile station and monitor the location of the mobile station on the basis thereof.

8. The mobile communication system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the monitor means comprise means for transmitting a predetermined message to the monitored mobile station which is approaching the reception area and that said mobile station is arranged to transmit information indicating its location more frequently in response to the reception of said message.