Interactive messaging system

• US 8,117,287 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2010
• Issued: 02/14/2012
• 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): Osman, Ramy M
• Application Number:
  US12/705,372
• Publication Number:
  US 20100144380A1
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/217, 709/219, 709/206
• US Class Current: 709/219
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1813 for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms instant messaging H04L51/04; protocols for multimedia communication H04L65/1101; arrangements for multi-party communication H04L65/403; telephonic conference arrangements H04M3/56; television conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1859 adapted to provide push services, e.g. data channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/189 in combination with wireless systems selective distribution or broadcast in wireless communication networks H04W4/06
• 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 67/53 using third party service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 for supporting games or graphical animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages

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, operational on a server, for interacting with a wireless device, comprising:

sending an initial interactive message to the wireless device, the initial interactive message including a first set of pre-assigned instant event keys defining a set of actions, the set of actions of the first set of pre-assigned instant event keys specify the frequency of sending an alert invitation;

receiving a response to the initial interactive message from the wireless device, the response generated by selection of a first pre-assigned instant event key from the first set of pre-assigned instant event keys;

generating the alert invitation in response to the selection of the first pre-assigned instant event key, the alert invitation used to provide notification of an opportunity;

sending a request for information to the wireless device in response to the selection of the first pre-assigned instant event key, the information used to generate a profile;

identifying at least one opportunity; and

sending the alert invitation, at the specified frequency, to the wireless device identifying the at least one opportunity upon the occurrence of an action in the set of actions.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the initial interactive message is sent using any enabling push technology.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the request for information includes at least one interactive message having a second set of pre-assigned instant event keys.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the information includes age range of a user, sex of the user, zip code of the user and type of the wireless device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one opportunity is selected using the profile.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one opportunity includes purchasing a ringtone, a wallpaper, application or hardware device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising specifying interactive workflow and collaboration parameters by assigning at least one action to each pre-assigned instant event key in the first and second sets of pre-assigned instant event keys.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the interactive workflow and collaboration parameters define opportunities.

9. A system for interacting with a wireless device, comprising:

a database adapted to store a profile;

a mobile access gateway for sending interactive messages to the wireless device; and

a server coupled to the database and mobile access gateway, wherein the server is adapted to;

send an initial interactive message to the wireless device, the initial interactive message including a first set of pre-assigned instant event keys defining a set of actions, the set of actions of the first set of pre-assigned instant event keys specify the frequency of sending an alert invitation;

receive a response to the initial interactive message from the wireless device, the response generated by selection of a first pre-assigned instant event key from the first set of pre-assigned instant event keys;

generate the alert invitation in response to the selection of the first pre-assigned instant event key, the alert invitation used to provide notification of an opportunity;

send a request for information to the wireless device in response to the selection of the first pre-assigned instant event key, the information used to generate a profile;

identify at least one opportunity; and

send the alert invitation, at the specified frequency, to the wireless device identifying the at least one opportunity upon the occurrence of an action in the set of actions.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the initial interactive message is sent using any enabling push technology.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the request for information includes at least one interactive message having a second set of pre-assigned instant event keys.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the information includes age range of a user, sex of the user, zip code of the user and type of the wireless device.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one opportunity is selected using the profile.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one opportunity includes purchasing a ringtone, a wallpaper, application or hardware device.

15. The system of claim 9, further comprising specifying interactive workflow and collaboration parameters by assigning at least one action to each pre-assigned instant event key in the first and second sets of pre-assigned instant event keys.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the interactive workflow and collaboration parameters define opportunities.

17. A system for interacting with a wireless device, comprising:

means for sending an initial interactive message to the wireless device, the initial interactive message including a first set of pre-assigned instant event keys defining a set of actions, the set of actions of the first set of pre-assigned instant event keys specify the frequency of sending an alert invitation;

means for receiving a response to the initial interactive message from the wireless device, the response generated by selection of a first pre-assigned instant event key from the first set of pre-assigned instant event keys;

means for generating the alert invitation in response to the selection of the first pre-assigned instant event key, the alert invitation used to provide notification of an opportunity;

means for sending a request for information to the wireless device in response to the selection of the first pre-assigned instant event key, the information used to generate a profile;

means for identifying at least one opportunity; and

means for sending the alert invitation, at the specified frequency, to the wireless device identifying the at least one opportunity upon the occurrence of an action in the set of actions.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising means for specifying interactive workflow and collaboration parameters by assigning an action to each pre-assigned instant event key in the first and second sets of pre-assigned instant event keys.