System and method for providing mobile device services using SMS communications

• US 7,996,023 B2
• Filed: 07/12/2006
• Issued: 08/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Grape Technology Group Incorporated (KGB)
• Original Assignee: Grape Technology Group Incorporated (KGB)
• Inventors: Bacon, Ian, Bates, Michael, Baumeister, Christine, McGary, Faith
• Primary Examiner(s): MEHRPOUR, NAGHMEH
• Application Number:
  US11/485,189
• Publication Number:
  US 20070123280A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,854 Days
• Field of Search: 455/466, 455/456.1, 455/456.6, 455/422.1, 455/440, 455/432.2, 455/435.1, 455/403, 455/414.1, 455/465, 455/412, 455/552.1, 370/352, 370/353, 370/395.2, 370/349, 370/310, 370/466, 370/465, 370/490, 709/219, 709/206, 701/201, 702/3, 379/88.17, 379/67.1
• US Class Current: 455/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/18 Commands or executable codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/214 using selective forwarding
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2072 Schedules, e.g. personal calendars
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/652 Call initiation triggered by text message
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42382 Text-based messaging services in telephone networks such as PSTN/ISDN, e.g. User-to-User Signalling or Short Message Service for fixed networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 Directory assistance systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0036 where the data service is an information service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/14 Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]

Abstract

An enhanced services platform has an interface for receiving a communication from a user requesting a desired data. An automated response module parses the communication and retrieves the desired data. The enhanced services platform arranges the desired data into a response message that is sent to the user, where the response message includes an embedded code corresponding to a link allowing the user to re-contact the enhanced services platform. An operator assistance module receives communications from the user initiated via the link to provide further assistance regarding the user'"'"'s request.

Claims

1. An enhanced services platform said platform comprising:

an interface for receiving a communication from a user requesting a desired data;

an automated response module for parsing said communication and retrieving said desired data, said enhanced services platform configured to arrange said desired data into a response message that is sent to said user, wherein said response message includes an embedded code corresponding to a link allowing said user to re-contact said enhanced services platform; and

an operator assistance module configured to receive communications from said user initiated via said link to provide further assistance regarding said user'"'"'s request.

2. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein said enhanced services platform is configured to receive text communication from said user in accordance with any one of the group consisting of SMS (Short Message Service), IM (Instant Message), and e-mail.

3. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein said communication platform is further configured to generate a transaction record including a transaction ID field for storing a unique ID code for tracking said user'"'"'s request.

4. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a user request field wherein said user request field includes a copy of said text communication from a user requesting a desired data.

5. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a response message field wherein said response message field includes a copy of said response message that was sent to said user.

6. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 3, wherein said embedded link in said response message includes data identifying said transaction record.

7. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 3, wherein when said enhanced services platform receives a re-contact request from said user via said embedded link in said response message, said enhanced services platform recognizing said transaction ID, displays said user request and said response message to an operator at said operator assistance module.

8. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein said embedded link, when activated, directs a mobile device of said user to place a telephone call to said enhanced services platform.

9. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein said embedded link corresponds to a hot button command on a mobile device of said user.

10. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein said embedded link corresponds to a voice command on a mobile device of said user.

11. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a derivative user identifier database module, configured to store information about frequent users of said enhanced services platform in a user profile.

12. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 11, wherein said user profile includes a user identification field, a history field, and a preferences field.

13. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 12, wherein said history field includes past requests for desired data made by said user.

14. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 13, wherein said preferences field includes user preferences for how said user would like to interact with said enhanced services platform.

15. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 14, wherein said preferences include any one of the group consisting of language choice and response message format.

16. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 15, wherein said preferences are set in said preferences field based on prior use by said user as stored in said history field.

17. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 15, wherein said preferences are set in said preferences field are configured to be set manually via direct user contact with said enhanced services platform.

18. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein a mobile device of said user includes auto-location ability.

19. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 18, wherein said auto-location ability is GPS (Global Positioning System).

20. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 18, wherein said enhanced services platform is configured to receive text communication from a user requesting a desired data in a nearest-to-me format, requesting a listing that is in proximity to said user'"'"'s geographic location.

21. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein said response message includes a WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) link for additional services, related to said desired data included in said response message.

22. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 21, wherein said WAP link is for any one of the group consisting of reservations, tickets and directions.

23. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 22, wherein said link is configured to be activated by said user such that said enhanced service platform uses an auto-location ability in a mobile device of said user to provide alerts to said user indicating an upcoming event or turn in said directions.

24. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein enhanced services platform is configured to be synched with a calendar program of said user such that said enhanced services platform can send upcoming events from said calendar program in said response message as a series of links, such that upon activation, said enhanced services platform calculates a reminder to be sent to said user that is adjusted based on existing traffic conditions between said user and upcoming event.

25. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein said response message includes an embedded back-end marketing link subsequent to said desired data.

26. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein said response message includes an embedded front-end marketing link prior to said desired data.

27. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 26, wherein said back-end marketing link is a cross promotion to other services offered by said enhanced services platform.

28. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 27, wherein said front-end marketing link is a cross promotion to other services offered by said enhanced services platform.

29. A method for providing enhanced communication services on an enhanced services platform, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a communication at an interface from a user requesting a desired data;

parsing said communication at an automated response module;

retrieving said desired data;

arranging said desired data into a response message that is sent to said user, wherein said response message includes an embedded code corresponding to a link allowing said user to re-contact said enhanced services platform; and

receiving a communication at an operator assistance module from said user initiated via said link to provide further assistance regarding said user'"'"'s request.

30. The method as claimed in claim 29, further comprising the step of receiving text communication from said user in accordance with any one of the group consisting of SMS (Short Message Service), IM (Instant Message), and e-mail.

31. The method as claimed in claim 29, further comprising the step of generating a transaction record including a transaction ID field for storing a unique ID code for tracking said user'"'"'s request.

32. The method as claimed in claim 31, further comprising the step of copying said text communication from a user requesting a desired data in a user request field.

33. The method as claimed in claim 31, further comprising the step of copying said response message that was sent to said user in a response message field.

34. The method as claimed in claim 31, further comprising the step of including data identifying said transaction record in said embedded link.

35. The method as claimed in claim 31, further comprising the step of receiving a re-contact request from said user via said embedded link in said response message, said enhanced services platform recognizing said transaction ID, displays said user request and said response message to an operator at said operator assistance module.