Methods and apparatus for gifting over a data network

• US 7,412,411 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2004
• Issued: 08/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Minear, Brian, Nguyen, Phil Tien, Horel, Gerald Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosen; Nicholas D.
• Application Number:
  US10/832,717
• Publication Number:
  US 20050261988A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,569 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27
• US Class Current: 705/26.8
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 Third-party assisted
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0625 Directed, with specific intent or strategy
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0631 Item recommendations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup

Abstract

A method is provided for operating a server to allow a first terminal to provide a content gift to a second terminal, where the first and second terminals selectively communicate with the server. The method includes receiving a catalog request from the first terminal for a catalog that identifies content compatible with the second terminal. The method also includes generating the catalog and transmitting the catalog to the first terminal. The method also includes receiving a gift request from the first terminal requesting that a content gift selected from the identified content in the catalog be provided to the second terminal, and providing the content gift to the second terminal.

Claims

1. A method for operating a first terminal to provide a content gift to a second terminal, wherein the first and second gift terminals selectively communicate with a gift server, the method comprising:

transmitting a catalog request, including terminal identifier of the second terminal, to the gift server to obtain a catalog that identifies content compatible with the second terminal;

receiving the catalog at the first terminal;

selecting a content gift from the catalog;

automatically determining the selected content gift is not already owned by the second terminal; and

transmitting a gift request for the gift server requesting that the content gift be provided to the second terminal.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising including security information in the catalog request so that the catalog request can be authenticated.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising requesting that the first terminal assume costs associated with the content gift.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting the catalog request comprises transmitting the catalog request to the gift server using a wireless network connection.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting the catalog request comprises transmitting the catalog request to the gift server using a wired network connection.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a notification message that the content gift was not delivered to the second terminal because the content is already owned by the second terminal.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second terminals is a wireless device.

8. Apparatus for use with a first terminal to provide a content gift to a second terminal, wherein the first and second gift terminals selectively communicate with a gift server, the apparatus comprising:

a catalog request transmitter that operates to transmit a catalog request, including terminal identifier of the second terminal, to the gift server to obtain a catalog that identifies content compatible with the second terminal;

a catalog receiver that operates to receive the catalog at the first terminal;

a gift selector that operates to select a content gift from the catalog, wherein the gift selector automatically determines the selected content gift is not already owned by the second terminal; and

a gift request transmitter that operates to transmit a gift request for the gift server requesting that the content gift be provided to the second terminal.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the catalog request transmitter further comprises logic to include security information in the catalog request so that the catalog request can be authenticated.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the gift request transmitter further comprising logic to request that the first terminal assume costs associated with the content gift.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the catalog request transmitter comprises logic to transmit the catalog request to the gift server using a wireless network connection.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the catalog request transmitter comprises logic to transmit the catalog request to the gift server using a wired network connection.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the gift request transmitter further comprises logic to receive a notification message that the content gift was not delivered to the second terminal because the content is already owned by the second terminal.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first and second terminals is a wireless device.

15. A processor for use in a first terminal to provide a content gift to a second terminal, wherein the first and second gift terminals selectively communicate with a gift server, the processor comprising:

means for transmitting a catalog request, including terminal identifier of the second terminal, to the gift server to obtain a catalog that identifies content compatible with the second terminal;

means for receiving the catalog at the first terminal;

means for selecting a content gift from the catalog;

means for automatically determining the selected content gift is not already owned by the second terminal; and

means for transmitting a gift request for the gift server requesting that the content gift be provided to the second terminal.

16. The processor of claim 15, further comprising means for including security information in the catalog request so that the catalog request can be authenticated.

17. The processor of claim 15, further comprising means for requesting that the first terminal assume costs associated with the content gift.

18. The processor of claim 15, wherein the means for transmitting the catalog request comprises means for transmitting the catalog request to the server using a wireless network connection.

19. The processor of claim 15, wherein the means for transmitting the catalog request comprises means for transmitting the catalog request to the server using a wired network connection.

20. The processor of claim 15, further comprises means for receiving a notification message that the content gift was not delivered to the second terminal because the content is already owned by the second terminal.

21. The processor of claim 15, wherein at least one of the first and second terminals is a wireless device.

22. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions, which when executed by a processor in a first terminal, operate to provide a content gift to a second terminal, wherein the first and second gift terminals selectively communicate with a gift server, the computer-readable medium comprising:

instructions for transmitting a catalog request, including terminal identifier of the second terminal, to the gift server to obtain a catalog that identifies content compatible with the second terminal;

instructions for receiving the catalog at the first terminal;

instructions for selecting a content gift from the catalog;

instructions for automatically determining the selected content gift is not already owned by the second terminal; and

instructions for transmitting a gift request for the gift server requesting that the content gift be provided to the second terminal.

23. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, further comprising instructions for including security information in the catalog request so that the catalog request can be authenticated.

24. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, further comprising instructions for requesting that the first terminal assume costs associated with the content gift.

25. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, wherein the instructions for transmitting the catalog request comprise instructions for transmitting the catalog request to the gift server using a wireless network connection.

26. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, wherein the instructions for transmitting the catalog request comprise instructions for transmitting the catalog request to the gift server using a wired network connection.

27. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, further comprising instructions for receiving a notification message that the content gift was not delivered to the second terminal because the content is already owned by the second terminal.

28. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, wherein at least one of the first and second terminals is a wireless device.

29. A method for operating a server to allow a first terminal to provide a content gift to a second terminal, wherein the first and second gift terminals selectively communicate with the server, the method comprising:

receiving a catalog request from the first terminal for a catalog that identifies content compatible with the second terminal;

generating the catalog;

transmitting the catalog to the first terminal;

receiving a gift request from the first terminal requesting that a content gift selected from the catalog be provided to the second terminal;

determining the content gift is content that is not already owned by the second terminal; and

providing the content to the second terminal;

wherein the step of generating comprises using a terminal identifier included in the catalog request to identify the content that is compatible with the second terminal.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the step of receiving the catalog request further comprises authenticating the catalog request.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the step of transmitting comprises transmitting the catalog to the first terminal using a communication channel that is selected from channels comprising wired and wireless communication channels.

32. The method of claim 29, further comprising associating the costs of the content gift with the first terminal.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein the step of providing the content gift comprises transmitting the content gift to the second terminal using a communication channel that is selected from channels comprising wired and wireless communication channels.

34. The method of claim 29, wherein at least one of the first and second terminals is a wireless device.

35. A method for operating a server to allow a first terminal to provide a content gift to a second terminal, wherein the first and second gift terminals selectively communicate with the server, the method comprising:

receiving a catalog request from the first terminal for a catalog that identifies content compatible with the second terminal;

generating the catalog;

transmitting the catalog to the first terminal;

receiving a gift request from the first terminal requesting that a content gift selected from the catalog be provided to the second terminal;

determining the content gift is content that is not already owned by the second terminal; and

providing the content to the second terminal;

wherein the step of generating comprises;

using a terminal identifier included in the catalog request to identify targeted content that is compatible with the second terminal; and

generating the catalog so that it identifies the targeted content.

36. A method for operating a server to allow a first terminal to provide a content gift to a second terminal, wherein the first and second gift terminals selectively communicate with the server, the method comprising:

receiving a catalog request from the first terminal for a catalog that identifies content compatible with the second terminal;

generating the catalog;

transmitting the catalog to the first terminal;

receiving a gift request from the first terminal requesting that a content gift selected from the catalog be provided to the second terminal;

determining the content gift is already owned by the second terminal; and

transmitting a notification message to the first terminal to indicate that content gift was not provided to the second terminal.

37. A processor for operating a server to allow a first terminal to provide a content gift to a second terminal, wherein the first and second gift terminals selectively communicate with the server, the processor comprising:

means for receiving a catalog request from the first terminal for a catalog that identifies content compatible with the second terminal;

means for generating the catalog;

means for transmitting the catalog to the first terminal;

means for receiving a gift request from the first terminal requesting that a content gift selected from the catalog be provided to the second terminal;

means for determining the content gift is content that is not already owned by the second terminal; and

means for providing the content to the second terminal;

wherein the means for generating comprises means for using a terminal identifier included in the catalog request to identify the content that is compatible with the second terminal.

38. The processor of claim 37, wherein the means for receiving the catalog request further comprises means for authenticating the catalog request.

39. The processor of claim 37, wherein the means for transmitting comprises means for transmitting the catalog to the first terminal using a communication channel that is selected from channels comprising wired and wireless communication channels.

40. The processor of claim 37, further comprising means for associating the costs of the content gift with the first terminal.

41. The processor of claim 37, wherein the means for providing the content gift comprises means for transmitting the content gift to the second terminal using a communication channel that is selected from channels comprising wired and wireless communication channels.

42. The processor of claim 37, wherein at least one of the first and second terminals is a wireless device.

43. A processor for operating a server to allow a first terminal to provide a content gift to a second terminal, wherein the first and second gift terminals selectively communicate with the server, the processor comprising:

means for receiving a catalog request from the first terminal for a catalog that identifies content compatible with the second terminal;

means for generating the catalog;

means for transmitting the catalog to the first terminal;

means for receiving a gift request from the first terminal requesting that a content gift selected from the catalog be provided to the second terminal;

means for determining the content gift is content that is not already owned by the second terminal; and

means for providing the content to the second terminal;

wherein the step of generating comprises;

means for using a terminal identifier included in the catalog request to identify targeted content that is compatible with the second terminal; and

means for generating the catalog so that it identifies the targeted content.

44. A processor for operating a server to allow a first terminal to provide a content gift to a second terminal, wherein the first and second gift terminals selectively communicate with the server, the processor comprising:

means for receiving a catalog request from the first terminal for a catalog that identifies content compatible with the second terminal;

means for generating the catalog;

means for transmitting the catalog to the first terminal;

means for receiving a gift request from the first terminal requesting that a content gift selected from the catalog be provided to the second terminal;

means for determining the content gift is already owned by the second terminal; and

means for transmitting a notification message to the first terminal to indicate that content gift was not provided to the second terminal.

45. Apparatus for operating a server to allow a first terminal to provide a content gift to a second terminal, wherein the first and second gift terminals selectively communicate with the server, the processor comprising:

a catalog request receiver for receiving a catalog request from the first terminal for a catalog that identifies content compatible with the second terminal;

a database for generating the catalog;

a catalog transmitter for transmitting the catalog to the first terminal;

a gift receiver for receiving a gift request from the first terminal requesting that a content gift selected from the catalog be provided to the second terminal, wherein the gift receiver determines the content gift is content that is not currently owned by the second terminal; and

a gift transmitter for providing the content to the second terminal;

wherein the database comprises logic for using a terminal identifier included in the catalog request to identify the content that is compatible with the second terminal.

46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the catalog request receiver further comprises logic for authenticating the catalog request.

47. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the catalog transmitter comprises logic for transmitting the catalog to the first terminal using a communication channel that is selected from channels comprising wired and wireless communication channels.

48. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the database further comprises logic for associating the costs of the content gift with the first terminal.

49. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the logic for providing the content gift comprises logic for transmitting the content gift to the second terminal using a communication channel that is selected from channels comprising wired and wireless communication channels.

50. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein at least one of the first and second terminals is a wireless device.

51. Apparatus for operating a server to allow a first terminal to provide a content gift to a second terminal, wherein the first and second gift terminals selectively communicate with the server, the processor comprising:

a catalog request receiver for receiving a catalog request from the first terminal for a catalog that identifies content compatible with the second terminal;

a database for generating the catalog;

a catalog transmitter for transmitting the catalog to the first terminal;

a gift receiver for receiving a gift request from the first terminal requesting that a content gift selected from the catalog be provided to the second terminal, wherein the gift receiver determines the content gift is content that is not currently owned by the second terminal; and

a gift transmitter for providing the content to the second terminal;

wherein the database comprises;

logic for using a terminal identifier included in the catalog request to identify targeted content that is compatible with the second terminal; and

logic for generating the catalog so that it identifies the targeted content.

52. A processor for operating a server to allow a first terminal to provide a content gift to a second terminal, wherein the first and second gift terminals selectively communicate with the server, the processor comprising:

a catalog request receiver for receiving a catalog request from the first terminal for a catalog that identifies content compatible with the second terminal;

a database for generating the catalog;

a catalog transmitter for transmitting the catalog to the first terminal;

a gift receiver for receiving a gift request from the first terminal requesting that a content gift selected from the catalog be provided to the second terminal;

wherein the database comprises;

logic for determining the content gift is already owned by the second terminal; and

logic for transmitting a notification message to the first terminal to indicate that content gift was not provided to the second terminal.

53. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions, which when executed by a processor in a server, operate to allow a first terminal to provide a content gift to a second terminal, wherein the first and second gift terminals selectively communicate with the server, the computer-readable medium comprising:

instructions receiving a catalog request from the first terminal for a catalog that identifies content compatible with the second terminal;

instructions for generating the catalog;

instructions for transmitting the catalog to the first terminal;

instructions for receiving a gift request from the first terminal requesting that a content gift selected from the catalog be provided to the second terminal;

instructions for determining the content gift is content that is not already owned by the second terminal; and

instructions for providing the content to the second terminal;

wherein the instructions for generating comprise instructions for using a terminal identifier included in the catalog request to identify the content that is compatible with the second terminal.

54. The computer-readable medium of claim 53, wherein the instructions for receiving the catalog request further comprise instructions for authenticating the catalog request.

55. The computer-readable medium of claim 53, wherein the instructions for transmitting comprise instructions for transmitting the catalog to the first terminal using a communication channel that is selected from channels comprising wired and wireless communication channels.

56. The computer-readable medium of claim 53, further comprising instructions for associating the costs of the content gift with the first terminal.

57. The computer-readable medium of claim 53, wherein the instructions for providing the content gift comprise instructions for transmitting the content gift to the second terminal using a communication channel that is selected from channels comprising wired and wireless communication channels.

58. The computer-readable medium of claim 53, wherein at least one of the first and second terminals is a wireless device.

59. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions, which when executed by a processor in a server, operate to allow a first terminal to provide a content gift to a second terminal, wherein the first and second gift terminals selectively communicate with the server, the computer-readable medium comprising:

instructions receiving a catalog request from the first terminal for a catalog that identifies content compatible with the second terminal;

instructions for generating the catalog;

instructions for transmitting the catalog to the first terminal;

instructions for receiving a gift request from the first terminal requesting that a content gift selected from the catalog be provided to the second terminal;

instructions for determining the content gift is content that is not already owned by the second terminal; and

instructions for providing the content to the second terminal;

wherein the instructions for generating comprise;

instructions for using a terminal identifier included in the catalog request to identify targeted content that is compatible with the second terminal; and

instructions for generating the catalog so that it identifies the targeted content.

60. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions, which when executed by a processor in a server, operate to allow a first terminal to provide a content gift to a second terminal, wherein the first and second gift terminals selectively communicate with the server, the computer-readable medium comprising:

instructions for receiving a catalog request from the first terminal for a catalog that identifies content compatible with the second terminal;

instructions for generating the catalog;

instructions for transmitting the catalog to the first terminal;

instructions for receiving a gift request from the first terminal requesting that a content gift selected from the catalog be provided to the second terminal;

instructions for determining the content gift is already owned by the second terminal; and

instructions for transmitting a notification message to the first terminal to indicate that content gift was not provided to the second terminal.

61. A method for operating a first terminal to provide a content gift to a second terminal, wherein the first and second terminals selectively communicate with each other over a data network, the method comprising:

transmitting a catalog request to the second terminal to obtain a catalog that identifies content compatible with the second terminal;

receiving the catalog;

selecting a content gift from the catalog;

determining the selected content gift is not already owned by the second terminal; and

transmitting a gift request to a gift server, wherein the gift server provides the content gift to the second terminal.

62. The method of claim 61, further comprising including security information in the catalog request so that the catalog request can be authenticated.

63. The method of claim 61, wherein the step of transmitting the catalog request comprises transmitting the catalog request using a wireless network connection.

64. The method of claim 61, wherein the step of transmitting the catalog request comprises transmitting the catalog request using a wired network connection.

65. The method of claim 61, wherein at least one of the first and second terminals is a wireless device.

66. The method of claim 61, further comprising transmitting the content from the first terminal to the second terminal.