Interactive messaging system

• US 7,340,503 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2005
• Issued: 03/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Imageware Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Vocel, Inc.
• Inventors: Washburn, Carl
• Primary Examiner(s): Etienne; Ario
• Assistant Examiner(s): Osman; Ramy M
• Application Number:
  US11/128,039
• Publication Number:
  US 20050210114A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,028 Days
• Field of Search: 709/206, 709/246, 709/227, 709/207, 709/203, 709/204, 379/38, 455/414.1
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 Push-based network services

Abstract

The interactive messaging system of the present invention provides for an interactive communication process between users, both senders and recipients. The sender composes a message by filling in a template stored in data services. Once completed, the sender pushes the message to a recipient'"'"'s wireless device if the wireless device contains a WAP browser, which is capable of receiving pushed messages. Typically the message includes a question along with answers for the recipient to choose from. Each answer corresponds with a pre-assigned response key and the recipient answers the question by selecting one of the pre-assigned response keys. The recipient'"'"'s response is available to the sender in the form of an e-mail, WAP Push, on-line access or interactive message that is shown to the sender on an on-line status screen.

Claims

1. A method for exchanging interactive messages with wireless devices, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting an event brokering template from a group of brokering templates, wherein the group of templates include an event brokering template for negotiating an event based interactive workflow and collaboration between a sender of an interactive message and at least one recipient of the interactive message;

composing the message by filling in the selected template and transmitting the message to an application server which manages the event based interactive workflow and collaboration, the message having at least one pre-assigned instant event key, the at least one pre-assigned instant event key defining actions of the workflow, and the sender assigning a response triggered event to correspond to the at least one pre-assigned instant event key;

transmitting the message from the application server to at least one wireless device using any enabling push technology;

receiving the message on at least one recipient'"'"'s wireless device to notify the at least one recipient to take a particular action;

displaying the message on the at least one recipient'"'"'s wireless device for the at least one recipient to respond to;

responding to the message by selecting a pre-assigned instant event key triggering the application server to initiate an event; and

wherein the message includes asking the at least one recipient if the at least one recipient completed the particular action.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the particular action is taking medication.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the event based interactive workflow includes response triggered events and non-response triggered events.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the message is transmitted from the application server to the at least one wireless device using push technology.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein a special ring tone is emitted on the at least one recipient'"'"'s wireless device when the message is received.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the event includes following up with the at least one recipient if the at least one recipient cancels the message or fails to respond to the message.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein a follow up message is sent to another recipient, designated by the sender or the at least one recipient, if the at least one recipient cancels the message or fails to respond to the message.